Jambi Police name 10 suspects in forest and land fires

Authorities in Jambi, Indonesia, have identified 10 suspects in connection with ongoing forest and land fires (karhutla) across the province. The Regional Police Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation announced the charges, stating that the individuals are suspected of clearing land for plantations by burning.

Collectively, the fires linked to these suspects have scorched a total of 17.25 hectares. The police are pursuing legal action under various Indonesian laws, including those concerning plantations, forestry, and the Job Creation Law.

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From the ten suspects handled by the district police, the total area of land they burned is 17.25 hectares, and all of them were clearing land for private plantations.

Cases are being handled across multiple police precincts. Muaro Jambi Police are investigating one suspect accused of burning five hectares, while Tanjung Jabung Barat Police are handling five cases involving five suspects who allegedly burned a combined two hectares. Other precincts, including Tanjung Jabung Timur, Tebo, Sarolangun, and Merangin, are also investigating suspects for burning land.

Since January, Jambi has recorded 4,682 hotspots, with over 954 hectares burned. Muaro Jambi district has seen the largest area affected, followed by Tanjung Jabung Barat. Police emphasize that they are working with the military, local government, and other agencies to extinguish fires and prevent future occurrences through education and outreach.

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Prevention efforts are continuously carried out through appeals and socialization to the community. In the field, the Jambi Police and precinct police also continue to synergize with the TNI, local government, BPBD, and all related agencies in handling, extinguishing, and cooling down fire locations.