Prabowo Subianto ordered a thorough investigation into forest and land fires during a plenary cabinet session at the State Palace in Jakarta, declaring that the fires are not natural phenomena but involve human intervention and corporate responsibility. Speaking on Wednesday (21/10/2026), the president directed law enforcement and ministries to investigate the fires and vowed to revoke the operating licenses of any violating companies.
The investigation involves multiple agencies, with Prabowo calling on the police, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Ministry of Forestry, aided by the military and intelligence, to probe corporate involvement. According to Compass, police have already established 11 corporations as suspects in forest fire cases, including three foreign direct investment companies. Meanwhile, CNN Indonesia reported that the Ministry of Forestry has imposed administrative sanctions on a total of 32 corporations in the forestry sector, ranging from revocations to license freezings accompanied by ecosystem restoration obligations.
Crackdown on Environmental Terrorism
Prabowo categorized deliberate land burning as environmental terrorism and a crime against humanity, noting that the actions endanger the health of millions of citizens. He stated that the government can no longer act ordinarily in handling the crisis.
If the evidence is clear, we will take action, we will revoke all permits of companies that violate the law.
said Prabowo during his directive to the cabinet.
Prabowo Warns Nations Mocking Indonesia over Forest Fires
Addressing foreign criticism regarding the fires, Prabowo issued a warning to nations that mock Indonesia. He stated that the government will eventually expose the companies tied to certain foreign countries that criticize the nation.
Recent enforcement actions by the Ministry of Forestry detailed specific sanctions in Kalimantan. Six companies—PT Hasil Kalimantan Jaya, PT Taiyoung Engreen, PT Hutan Produksi Lestari, PT Ramang Aglo Lestari, PT Puspa Warna Cemerlang, and PT Sinergi Hutan Sejati—received sanctions including license freezings and mandatory forest ecosystem restoration following extensive land fires within their respective concession areas.