Indonesia arrests 72 suspects over forest arson
Indonesian police have arrested 72 people suspected of causing some of the recent forest and peat fires. Large fire zones in the country’s central and western regions produced dense smoke that spread to Malaysia, ABC News Australia reports.
According to Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency, the fires intensified due to the development of the El Niño phenomenon and a prolonged dry season. Fires occur regularly in the country, including because land is burned for agriculture.
Arson investigations
Mohammad Irhamni, director of the special crimes directorate at the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency, said those arrested are being investigated in connection with 89 forest and land fire cases. They concern five provinces on Borneo and four provinces on Sumatra.
According to him, most suspects are accused of deliberately burning land to clear plots for plantations at lower cost. Investigators are examining financial documents to determine whether companies financed or ordered such clearing. The suspects may face heavy fines or up to 15 years in prison.
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Companies and firefighting
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited Central Kalimantan province, where fire engulfed more than 7,600 hectares. He pledged to provide resources to contain the fires, including helicopters and water pumps, and to hold companies accountable if their contribution to the fires is established.
State Secretariat head Prasetyo Hadi said that at least four companies in West Kalimantan province are being investigated on suspicion of using fire to clear land. If it is proven that they deliberately caused the fires, the companies may have their operating permits revoked.
Smoke over Borneo and Sumatra
Indonesia’s Environment Ministry recorded more than 3,700 hotspots on Borneo and more than 1,700 in South Sumatra. In some areas of Sumatra, visibility was reduced to 10 meters because of smoke. Authorities resumed cloud seeding over Kalimantan, deploying 30 helicopters for water drops and aerial patrols; another 22 helicopters operated over Sumatra.
In Malaysia, Sarawak was among the states most affected by the smoke. One district recorded a “very unhealthy” air quality level on Friday, while eight others recorded unhealthy levels. As a result, nearly 600 schools were closed there, affecting about 200,000 students.
