223 Suspects, 9 Companies Now Named Over Forest Fires as Haze Crisis Worsens

JAKARTA, Oct 15, 2026: Indonesian police have named 223 individuals as suspects in forest and land fire cases as authorities intensify enforcement efforts to tackle the transboundary haze crisis.

The figure was disclosed by Senior Commissioner Pipit Subiyanto of the Energy and Environmental Crimes Directorate based on 273 police reports involving more than 5,150 hectares of land destroyed by fires.

Riau recorded the highest number of suspects with 65, followed by South Sumatra with 48 and Central Kalimantan with 39. Other suspects were identified across several provinces, including West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan and Jambi.

Forest Fires

Authorities have also linked nine companies to fires that damaged more than 25,600 hectares of land.

Indonesia’s National Police, working with relevant ministries, said 57 companies have been temporarily shut down for violations related to forest and land fires, although details of the offences were not disclosed.

Meanwhile, the Forestry Ministry is pursuing criminal proceedings against 17 companies and has imposed administrative action on another 26.

The government has also stepped up firefighting efforts by targeting the advancing front of fires with heavy machinery and plans to construct about 30 groundwater wells to support operations in high-risk areas.

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Keywords: Indonesia, forest fires, haze, Pipit Subiyanto, Riau, Kalimantan, enforcement