Law Minister Opens Possibility for Regulation of Ecological Terrorism in Legislation

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas has opened the possibility for ecological terrorism to be regulated by law.

"In the future, we might revise the legislation to address this issue," Supratman stated at the Palace Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday (21/10/2026).

However, he did not specify which rules would be revised to include provisions on ecological terrorism.

"No, there’s no need for a new law. All the laws already exist. If there's something that needs improvement, it can simply be added," Supratman said.

Further, Supratman emphasized that President Prabowo Subianto has also explicitly referred to forest and land fires as ecological terrorism.

"His directive to the Minister of Forestry and the Minister of Environment and Forestry is clear; as he stated earlier, for the journalists present, this can indeed be categorized as ecological terrorism," he revealed.

According to Supratman, Prabowo is also very firm about taking action against those involved in the forest fires.

"Certainly, the law enforcement process, whether related to individuals or corporations, has been clearly articulated by the National Police Chief, and the President has given directions regarding law enforcement measures," he noted.

As previously reported, President Prabowo Subianto affirmed that intentional forest fires leading to the burning of lands are classified as environmental terrorism.

"Many corporations share responsibility, and citizens have identified various individuals who deliberately start fires, which we can regard as environmental terrorism," Prabowo asserted during a plenary cabinet meeting coinciding with the two-year anniversary of his administration, at the Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (21/10/2026).

He also stressed that intentional forest fires constitute crimes against humanity.

This is because the deliberate fires have caused incidents leading to health issues for millions of people.

"We cannot take this lightly. We will now address this issue aggressively, but we will also investigate thoroughly, and this time, we can no longer act in a business-as-usual manner," Prabowo emphasized.

If any corporations are found guilty, Prabowo asserted that the government will revoke all permits of violating companies.

"And for certain countries that like to insult Indonesia, we will eventually expose their companies," Prabowo added.