President Orders Strict Enforcement of Law Against Perpetrators of Fires

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo has ordered that the perpetrators of the forest fires that led to haze, disrupted normal life and affected the health of the people, be made to face the full force of the law.

The head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Willem Rampangilei, after attending a limited meeting with the President here, said at a press conference on Wednesday, "The President has ordered that firm legal action be taken against perpetrators of forest fires, be they individuals or corporations, so that it acts as a deterrent in future."

He said National Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti, who also attended the meeting, supported this stance, saying that a law enforcement task force assigned to deal with forest and land fires had tackled 18 reported cases and named 140 suspects, including seven corporations. He said 17 corporations were involved in the fire incidents.

Badrodin said seven suspects had been arrested. Identified by only their initials. One JLT was arrested from PT PMH in Ogan Komering Ilir, South Sumatra, P from PT RPP in South Sumatra, S from PT RPS in South Sumatra, FK from PT LIH in Riau, S from PT GAP in Sampit, Central Kalimantan, GRN from PT MBA in Kapuas and WD was arrested from PT ASP in Central Kalimantan.

The police chief said more people could be arrested as investigation was still continuing.

"This is the result of the President's order to be firm to prevent any recurrence of such fires next year," he said.

General Badrodin suggested to the government, which is the regulator, to blacklist companies that had allegedly caused the fires. This would make it possible to reject their applications for permits. (WDY)