Jakarta, ThedailyID — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has ordered his administration to revoke permits held by companies proven to have violated regulations and contributed to forest and land fires.
Prabowo delivered the order during a cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, October 21. He said investigations had found that human activity, rather than natural causes alone, contributed to the fires.
Prabowo instructed the National Police, prosecutors and the Forestry Ministry to investigate companies suspected of involvement, with support from the Indonesian military.
“Many corporations have turned out to be responsible. People have also caught individuals deliberately setting fires. We could consider this environmental terrorism, a crime against humanity, because their actions endanger the health of millions of our citizens,” Prabowo said.
He stressed that the government would pursue cases thoroughly and take firm action when investigators establish clear evidence.
“We must not take this lightly. We will now address this on a massive scale and investigate these cases thoroughly. If the evidence is clear, we will act and revoke the permits of companies that violate the rules,” he said.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the government had imposed administrative sanctions on 32 companies over forest and land fires in several parts of Indonesia.
“As of today, a total of 32 companies have received administrative sanctions in the forestry sector,” Raja Juli said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The sanctions include permit revocations, business permit suspensions and orders to restore damaged forest ecosystems.
Most recently, the government sanctioned six companies operating in Central and North Kalimantan. Authorities suspended their permits and ordered them to restore affected ecosystems.
The companies include PT Hasil Kalimantan Jaya in Gunung Mas, which holds a 36,745-hectare concession, with 4,803 hectares reportedly affected by fires.
PT Taiyoung Engreen in Gunung Mas has a 59,810-hectare concession, with 1,049 hectares affected. PT Hutan Produksi Lestari in Kapuas has a 10,050-hectare concession, with 718 hectares affected.
Authorities also sanctioned PT Ramang Aglo Lestari in Pulang Pisau, where 420 hectares of its 13,580-hectare concession reportedly burned. PT Puspa Warna Cemerlang in Gunung Mas recorded 348 burned hectares across its 12,920-hectare concession.
The sixth company, PT Sinergi Hutan Sejati in North Barito, holds a 68,286-hectare concession, with 193 hectares affected by fires.
