World · East Asia & Pacific · 5 hrs ago
Indonesia Names 223 People and Nine Companies as Fire Suspects
Indonesian police have named 223 people and nine companies as suspects in forest and land fire cases.
The cases cover 273 police reports and more than 5,150 hectares burned across Indonesia.
Riau has the most individual suspects, followed by South Sumatra and Central Kalimantan.
Separately, police say 97 reports are under investigation, with 92 at the investigation stage, and that inquiries are now focusing on companies.
The fires are worsening haze across Southeast Asia, affecting countries beyond Indonesia.
Indonesia is also fighting fires with heavy machinery, plans for about 30 borewells in high-risk areas, and cloud seeding to encourage rain.
In Tanjung Puting National Park, fires have affected more than 500 hectares, threatening an important orangutan conservation and rehabilitation site.
Indonesia and Malaysia have begun talks on joint action against fires and haze, but the form of cooperation has not yet been decided.
Indonesian police named 223 people and nine companies as suspects in forest and land fire cases.
The cases involving individuals cover 273 police reports and more than 5,150 hectares of burned land, while cases involving companies relate to more than 25,600 hectares.
A lawmaker urged President Prabowo Subianto to release government data on companies linked to fire hotspots, after environmental groups published findings.
Singapore said some haze affecting the country came from fires on land belonging to seven companies in Indonesia.
Indonesia and Singapore also discussed cooperation on firefighting, while Indonesia and Malaysia began talks on joint action against forest fires.
- Who
- Indonesian police named 223 people and nine companies as suspects. Lawmaker Alex Indra Lukman urged President Prabowo Subianto to release government data on companies linked to fires.
- What
- Indonesia announced suspects in forest and land fire cases amid worsening haze. Singapore said some haze there came from fires on land belonging to seven Indonesian companies.
- When
- Police announced the figures on October 14, 2026. Alex made his appeal on October 16.
- Where
- The fires and related cases are in Indonesia, including Sumatra and Kalimantan. The haze has affected Southeast Asia, including Singapore.
- Why
- Authorities are enforcing fire laws and fighting fires amid worsening haze. Alex said releasing the data could help prevent accusations and mockery from neighboring countries.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Greenpeace Indonesia, Greenpeace Malaysia and Pantau Gambut released a report identifying a Malaysian company and four concessions linked to Singapore-based companies.
Indonesian police announced that 223 people were suspects in 273 reports involving more than 5,150 hectares of burned land.
Authorities reported that fires had affected more than 500 hectares of Tanjung Puting National Park.
Alex Indra Lukman urged President Prabowo Subianto to release government data on companies linked to fire hotspots.
Singapore's Grace Fu said some haze affecting Singapore came from fires on land belonging to seven companies in Indonesia.
- Individual suspects
- 223 people
- Company suspects
- 9 companies
- Police reports
- 273
- Burned land in cases involving individuals
- More than 5,150 hectares
- Burned land in cases involving companies
- More than 25,600 hectares
- Tanjung Puting National Park
- More than 500 hectares affected by fires
4 sources
What people are saying
WALHI and Greenpeace Indonesia have revealed data that 52 companies affiliated with capital from Malaysia and Singapore are related to fires in Indonesia. Do not let this data become a hot issue in the public sphere without clear clarification and action from the government.
Based on our investigations so far, some of the haze affecting Singapore came from fires on land belonging to seven companies in Indonesia.
The form of cooperation will depend on the outcome of the discussions, but the authorities of both countries have, for the first time, begun talks on how we can work together to tackle the haze, which appears to be getting worse.
Regardless of whether a regency is currently experiencing fires, we proceed with cloud seeding, dispersing salt into potential clouds, to increase moisture levels.