Police Chief Reveals 243 Individuals and 13 Corporations Suspected in Forest Fires, Foreign Involvement Noted

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto has revealed the latest progress in law enforcement regarding forest and land fires (karhutla) to President Prabowo Subianto.

Suyudi stated that there are currently 286 police reports with a total burned area of 5,856 hectares, and 243 individuals have been named as suspects.

“Regarding the law enforcement efforts in addressing karhutla, first concerning individuals. There are 13 regional police commands involved in the enforcement actions. With 286 reports, the area burned is 5,856 hectares, and the number of suspects is 243. In the investigation phase, there are 32 ongoing, 9 stopped, 189 in progress, and 56 cases concluded. This is for individual cases,” said the Police Chief during the Cabinet Plenary Session at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (21/10/2026).

Suyudi also mentioned that law enforcement is targeting corporations suspected of being involved in karhutla cases.

As of October 20, 2026, there have been 100 police reports indicating a burned area of 29,534.99 hectares, with 13 corporations identified as suspects.

“For corporations, based on the latest report from October 20 at 6 PM, the law enforcement actions carried out involve 10 regional police commands and one unit from the Criminal Investigation Agency’s General Crimes Directorate, with 100 reports and a burned area of 29,534.99 hectares. The number of suspects is 13, with 6 cases stopped and 94 cases under investigation,” he added.

From the developments in corporate investigations, Suyudi stated that the police recommend the revocation of permits for 23 reports that have advanced to the investigation stage, with 11 corporations named as suspects while 12 others remain undetermined.

“For 71 police reports, the investigation process has not recommended the revocation of permits. However, out of those, 2 have advanced to suspect status, while 69 have not. These involve corporations affiliated with foreign investments, with 22 corporations identified,” Suyudi explained.

Meanwhile, Suyudi detailed the concession areas and the burned areas of the corporations that are now under legal scrutiny.

For the 11 corporations designated as suspects, the total concession area is approximately 209,933 hectares with a burned area of 11,105.39 hectares, while the 12 corporations not yet named as suspects have a concession area of 166,756 hectares and a burned area of 8,849 hectares.

“Among the 11 corporations, 8 are located in West Kalimantan, 2 in Central Kalimantan, and 1 in South Kalimantan,” Suyudi concluded.