Palm Oil Plantation Owner Suspected of Ordering Land Burning in East Kalimantan Wildfire

Authorities in Berau, East Kalimantan, have arrested a suspect, BS, for allegedly starting a wildfire that consumed approximately 12 hectares of land. The blaze occurred in Tanjung Batu, Pulau Derawan District, and has led to BS being named a suspect.

Initial investigations revealed the fire was not a natural occurrence. Police apprehended BS, who reportedly admitted to acting on behalf of a private landowner. He stated he was instructed to burn the land to prepare it for palm oil cultivation, with the owner claiming it was a practical method for fertilizing the soil.

The fire, ignited on August 8, quickly spread due to dry conditions and wind, exceeding the intended clearing area and encroaching on a forest product management company's concession. The company's report prompted the police investigation. BS faces charges under Indonesia's Environmental Protection and Management Law, the Job Creation Law concerning plantations and forestry, and Article 305 of the Criminal Code, potentially leading to a 12-year prison sentence and a fine of up to 10 billion rupiah (approximately $670,000 USD).

Police emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for land and forest fires, regardless of intent, due to their severe environmental and societal impacts. They urged the public to avoid using fire for land clearing, even for agricultural or plantation purposes, given the current weather conditions that heighten fire risks.

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The suspect BS admitted to acting on the orders of an individual landowner. Initially, BS was told to prepare the land for planting oil palms by burning it, with the reason being that it was practical for fertilizing the soil.