National Police Chief Urged to Disclose Identities of 13 Corporations, Including Foreign Entities, Suspected in Karhutla

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Police observer from the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISSES) Bambang Rukminto urged National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto to disclose the identities of corporations that are suspects in forest and land fire (karhutla) cases.

Bambang believes that Suyudi, who announced that 243 individuals and 13 corporations, including foreign ones, are suspects, is approaching the matter with utmost seriousness.

"The statement from the National Police Chief, as the head of the Police Institution, is very serious and not a political statement, but a declaration involving law that must be clear and definite," Bambang told Kompas.com on Monday (26/10/2026).

"Therefore, this must be followed up immediately by revealing the perpetrators, whether individuals or corporations, that are identified as foreign parties so that this statement does not become a blunder and set a negative precedent for the National Police Chief," he added.

Bambang asserted that investigators need to trace the corporate control chain, starting from shareholders, ultimate beneficial owners, directors, commissioners, to those making operational decisions on the ground.

At the same time, he said, investigators also need to prove the cause of the fire, land control, land clearing patterns, use of fire, as well as the causal relationship between the actions or negligence of certain parties and the occurrence of karhutla.

"Proving this also needs to integrate satellite images, hotspot data, witness statements, laboratory results on soil and vegetation samples, concession documents, financial transactions, internal communications, and operational company instructions," he remarked.

Bambang noted that if indications arise showing that the decision to burn or allow the fire came from controllers abroad, investigators must establish a connection between that decision, the implementers in Indonesia, and the resulting consequences.

He emphasized that the nationality of capital owners does not constitute evidence of wrongdoing.

Bambang reminded that what must be proven are the actions, roles, knowledge, or intentions that are legally relevant, as well as the responsibility of each party.

"The main obstacle is jurisdictional limitations. The Police have investigative authority in Indonesia but cannot unilaterally search offices, seize documents, examine accounts, or compel individuals located in other countries to provide statements," Bambang explained.

He further stated that other barriers include layered ownership structures, the use of shell companies, differences in legal systems, data confidentiality, and the possibility that important documents are controlled by parent companies abroad.

Therefore, investigators must combine evidence in Indonesia with evidence obtained legally from other jurisdictions.

"It is also necessary to distinguish between corporate responsibility and individual accountability. Status as a shareholder or capital owner does not automatically make someone criminally responsible. Investigators must demonstrate that person's concrete role in the crime based on the elements of the alleged offense," he said.

Bambang indicated that international cooperation is crucial, as karhutla involving corporations with international business networks may have decision-making, financing, and ownership chains that cross national borders.

He mentioned that the Police need to optimize collaboration with foreign law enforcement through official mechanisms, including the exchange of criminal intelligence information, investigative assistance, witness examinations, tracing of funds, and asset tracking.

"However, international cooperation should not be an excuse to postpone legal accountability domestically. The Police must concurrently investigate corporations operating in Indonesia and individuals abroad who are alleged to have a role based on evidence," Bambang added.