InfoSAWIT, PEKANBARU – The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH), has demonstrated its commitment to addressing forest and land fires (karhutla) in Riau Province. As of July 2025, the team from the Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement (Gakkum) has sealed several companies suspected of involvement in karhutla incidents.
This decisive action follows intensive monitoring conducted during the first half of this year. The Gakkum team detected hotspots in the concession areas of six companies, four of which are palm oil plantations and holders of Forest Utilization Business Licenses (PBPH), while one is a palm oil mill.
“Every license holder is required to ensure that their land does not catch fire. There is no excuse for negligence, as mitigation is an obligation inherent to every concession. Anyone found negligent or intentionally setting fire to land will face strict and transparent legal processes,” emphasized Irjen Pol. Rizal Irawan, Deputy of Gakkum KLH/BPLH.
The following companies have been sanctioned with operational suspensions: PT Adei Crumb Rubber – identified with 5 hotspots (medium confidence), PT Multi Gambut Industri – 5 hotspots (medium), PT Tunggal Mitra Plantation – 2 hotspots (medium), PT Sumatera Riang Lestari – 13 hotspots (medium), and PT Jatim Jaya Perkasa – 1 hotspot (high confidence). Additionally, a mill was sealed due to chimney emissions causing air pollution in Rokan Hilir Regency. Another company is currently undergoing further verification, with additional evidence being collected to determine the next legal steps.
Three-Pronged Law Enforcement Approach
KLH/BPLH has asserted its intention to utilize all available legal instruments—criminal, civil, and administrative—to impose deterrent effects and ensure corporate accountability for their land. This approach aims to prevent recurring negligence, especially as the peak dry season approaches.
“We will not tolerate land fires caused by corporations. Law enforcement will be carried out rigorously to ensure that no business actors neglect their responsibilities,” stated Ardyanto Nugroho, Director of Complaints and Supervision at KLH, in an official statement quoted by InfoSAWIT on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
KLH/BPLH also reminds business actors to enhance their fire mitigation measures, including the construction of canal blocks, provision of water reservoirs, and implementation of regular integrated patrols.
This firm stance is expected to serve as a warning to all concession holders to earnestly fulfill their environmental responsibilities. The government remains fully committed to preserving forest and land sustainability and preventing ecological disasters that frequently arise from fires. (T2)
