PDIP Demands Strict Legal Action Against Corporations Behind Forest Fires in Kalimantan

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) is demanding stringent legal action against all parties, including corporations, responsible for the widespread forest and land fires plaguing Kalimantan and Sumatra. PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto stated that the party has long warned about the potential for fires due to the extreme El Nino phenomenon, emphasizing that such events should have been anticipated.

Kristiyanto stressed the need for tangible progress in handling the fire tragedy, particularly through robust law enforcement against perpetrators. He specifically called for corporations using the dry season as a pretext to open plantation land to be prosecuted without exception. "It is best that law enforcement is truly carried out so that those who intentionally commit arson are prosecuted firmly. Including if there are corporations that use the excuse of this dry season to open plantation land. Don't let it be allowed!," he asserted.

He warned that without fair and firm legal enforcement, forest and land fires would likely continue to occur every year. "If this continues to happen without fair and firm law, this disaster will occur every year. How ashamed we are as a nation if we cannot show progress in handling forest fire disasters," Kristiyanto added. His remarks come as the National Police have named 71 individual suspects, allegedly controlled by major financiers, in connection with the fires.