September 1, 2026 | 03:02 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Criminal Investigation Unit of the Indonesian National Police has designated 17 new suspects in the forest fire cases at several points in Sumatra and Kalimantan since February 2026. The increase in the number of suspects is the result of the previous investigations.
The Director of Specific Crime Directorate of the Indonesian National Police Crime Investigation Department, Brigadier General Mohamad Irhamni, stated that the total number of suspects is currently 89. "So, the number (of suspects) has increased from yesterday," Irhamni said in his statement on Monday, September 1, 2026.
Irhamni said the increase in the number of suspects is due to the field teams' more thorough handling of cases. "We are intensively and proactively looking for the perpetrators who set the fire," Irhamni stated.
Irhamni stated that all the suspects are individuals. However, the investigators are still exploring the possibility of corporate involvement behind the forest and land fire actions.
The police also ensured that the investigation will not stop at individual perpetrators. "If there is any evidence, no matter how small, that strengthens the fact that it was indeed ordered by a corporation, we will pursue and take action," Irhamni added.
Previously, the police had designated 72 suspects in cases involving forest fires across nine regions. The nine regions include Riau, West Kalimantan, South Sumatra, Jambi, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, Aceh, and North Kalimantan.
The investigators suspect that the perpetrators chose to clear the land by burning it instead of using heavy equipment in order to cut costs. "The easiest way is by burning it," Irhamni said in a press conference at the National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta on Sunday, August 23, 2026.
Most of the suspects are farmers or day laborers who clear land for farming or planting oil palms. However, the Indonesian National Police Crime Investigation Department is still investigating whether they acted independently or received orders and funding from others.
The Minister of Environment Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat stated that His ministry mapped 42 companies in Kalimantan that are suspected of triggering the fires. According to Jumhur, a dozen of these corporations are strongly suspected of violations. "This is for Kalimantan, the data for Sumatra is currently being updated," as quoted from Antara.
Jumhur said his ministry will work with police to address the alleged criminal acts of the people who started the fires. Additionally, administrative processes will be applied to corporations that violate the regulations. Jumhur ensured that large fines will be imposed on corporate perpetrators of the fires.
Intan Setiawanty contributed to this article
Read: Wildfire Hotspots Surge in Three Kalimantan Provinces, BNPB Says
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