When Prabowo Warns Countries That Insult Indonesia over Karhutla

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Prabowo Subianto declared that the forest and land fires (karhutla) occurring in Indonesia are not natural but rather the result of human actions.

So far, the police have identified 11 corporations as suspects in the karhutla cases, three of which are foreign investments (PMA).

Prabowo stated that the phenomenon of karhutla resulting from human intervention constitutes environmental terrorism.

"This is a crime against humanity because what they are doing endangers the health of millions of our people. We must not take it lightly," Prabowo said during a plenary cabinet meeting at the palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (21/10/2026).

In light of certain countries mocking Indonesia regarding the karhutla, Prabowo threatened to disclose data on the companies involved in the fires.

Revocation of Company Licenses

Prabowo threatened to revoke the licenses of companies that are found to have violated regulations causing karhutla.

"If the evidence is clear, we will take action, we will revoke all licenses of companies that violate regulations," Prabowo asserted.

He also instructed law enforcement agencies to investigate the involvement of corporations linked to the karhutla thoroughly.

According to him, many corporations are implicated in karhutla across various regions in Indonesia.

"I ask the police, the prosecutor's office, and the Ministry of Forestry, with the assistance of the military and intelligence, to investigate because it turns out many corporations share responsibility. The public also catches various individuals deliberately starting fires," Prabowo added.