DPR Member: Environmental Terrorism Regulations Should Not Target the Small People

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Member of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the PKB faction, Daniel Johan, urged that regulations concerning environmental terrorism should not target marginalized communities.

"This regulation must focus on those who intentionally burn land in an organized and large-scale manner, not target small farmers or indigenous peoples practicing traditional methods,” Daniel conveyed in a statement to Kompas.com on Friday (23/10/2026).

He emphasized that the rules being planned by the government and the House regarding ecological terrorism must focus on perpetrators of deliberate and organized forest fires on a large scale.

“The formulation must be meticulous and precise,” he said.

This statement came as Daniel expressed support for the government's plan to regulate ecological terrorism in a law.

The PKB politician also proposed that ecological terrorism be included in the revision of Law No. 41 of 1999 on Forestry.

This is because the law serves as the main framework for forest management in Indonesia.

“Regarding the venue, I believe this regulation is best included in the draft amendment to Law No. 41 of 1999 on Forestry. Commission IV handles forestry matters, and this law is the main framework for our forest management,” Daniel explained.

According to him, regulation through a revision of the Forestry Law can ensure that these provisions remain integrated, avoid overlaps with other regulations, and facilitate law enforcement in their implementation.

However, Daniel hopes that the formulation of the ecological terrorism regulations will genuinely produce new provisions that effectively protect forests, rather than simply adding terminology to regulations.

“The House is certainly ready to discuss this openly and cautiously with the government, so that the new regulations truly effectively protect our forests, rather than just adding terms,” Daniel asserted.

Need to Strengthen Criminal Penalties for Forest Arson

Daniel also reminded that intentional forest and land fires (karhutla) are not merely administrative violations or ordinary crimes.

He noted that karhutla damages ecosystems, affects the health of millions, disrupts economic activities, and undermines Indonesia's reputation on the global stage.

“The existing criminal threats have not been sufficient to deter such actions, so they need to be strengthened, including penalties for corporations and those who are the intellectual actors behind the fires,” Daniel concluded.

Comments from Minister Supratman

As previously reported, Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas opened the possibility for the government to regulate ecological terrorism through revisions to existing laws.

“In the future, with the legislative regulations, we may revise related matters,” Supratman said at the Presidential Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday (21/10/2026).

Supratman did not specify which laws would be revised. He indicated that the government does not need to create new laws if existing provisions can be improved.

The discussion arose following President Prabowo Subianto's remarks that deliberate forest burning constitutes environmental terrorism.

Prabowo considers intentional forest burning a crime against humanity due to its impact on the health of millions.

He also affirmed that the government will take action against parties proven to be involved in forest burning and revoke permits of companies found guilty.