Indonesian police arrest 72 over forest fires causing choking haze

Indonesian police have arrested 72 individuals suspected of deliberately starting forest and peatland fires, which have blanketed parts of Borneo and Sumatra in a choking haze. The blazes are fueled by an intensifying El Nino pattern and a prolonged dry season, creating a recurring problem that strains relations with neighboring countries.

Authorities are investigating 89 cases across five provinces on Borneo and four on Sumatra. Mohammad Irhamni, director of special crimes at the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency, stated that most suspects are accused of burning land to clear it for plantations at a lower cost. Investigators are examining financial records to determine if companies financed or ordered the land clearing, suggesting the probe could expand.

"We will not stop at the perpetrators on the ground," Irhami said. "We will determine who benefited from these activities and who was ultimately behind them." Suspects face penalties ranging from hefty fines to prison terms of up to 15 years.

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We will not stop at the perpetrators on the ground. We will determine who benefited from these activities and who was ultimately behind them.

President Prabowo Subianto visited Central Kalimantan, an area heavily impacted by the fires, to urge authorities to control the haze. He promised government resources, including helicopters and water pumps, and vowed to hold accountable any companies found to have contributed to the fires. "I hope we can control this soon," Prabowo said. "We have experienced worse forest and land fires in the past, and we were able to overcome them."

At least four companies in West Kalimantan are under investigation. If proven to have intentionally set fires, they could face sanctions, including the revocation of their operating permits. The fires have led to over 3,700 hot spots recorded on Sunday across Borneo, with fire activity increasing in West, Central, and South Kalimantan provinces.

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I hope we can control this soon. We have experienced worse forest and land fires in the past, and we were able to overcome them.