Law

Police Chief Reveals Foreign Ties in Wildfires, 98 Cases Under Probe

Stateline MEDIA Newsroom•October 19, 2026•3 min read

National Police Chief Suyudi Ario Seto revealed 98 corporate wildfire cases advanced to investigation, citing foreign links. Suspects will be named soon.

Key Facts

Kapolri Jenderal Pol Suyudi Ario Seto mengungkapkan 98 laporan polisi (LP) kasus karhutla yang melibatkan korporasi telah naik dari penyelidikan ke tahap penyidikan.
Pernyataan disampaikan usai rapat terbatas (ratas) penanganan karhutla yang dipimpin Presiden Prabowo Subianto di Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, Senin (19/10/2026).
Dari 98 kasus yang didalami, ditemukan adanya keterlibatan pihak asing. Saat ditanya apakah mencakup negara tetangga, Kapolri membenarkan: "Iya, ada negara tetangga."
Penyidik masih memilah perusahaan yang termasuk penanaman modal asing (PMA) dan yang bukan; identitas perusahaan belum diumumkan karena masih dalam proses penyidikan.
Dalam waktu dekat penyidik akan menetapkan tersangka, termasuk pemilik perusahaan dan pemegang saham yang bertanggung jawab atas terjadinya karhutla.
Kapolri membenarkan penyidikan mencakup perusahaan yang disebut pemerintah Singapura, namun belum merinci identitasnya.

98 Corporate Cases Advance to Investigation

Chief of the Indonesian National Police (Kapolri) General Suyudi Ario Seto revealed significant progress in law enforcement regarding forest and land fires (karhutla). A total of 98 police reports (LP - Laporan Polisi) involving corporations have advanced from the preliminary investigation stage to a full investigation.

"As of today from Bareskrim (Criminal Investigation Agency), the investigation of 98 LPs has advanced to a full probe; there are 98 cases related to corporations," Suyudi said after attending a limited cabinet meeting (ratas) on wildfire management led by President Prabowo Subianto at Merdeka Palace, Central Jakarta, on Monday (19/10/2026).

Currently, the Polri (Indonesian National Police) Bareskrim investigative team is still gathering evidence to conclude these cases. Law enforcement is not only targeting operational personnel within the companies, but is also pursuing the liability of company owners and shareholders.

Neighboring Countries Implicated

In the investigation of the 98 cases, Polri found indications of foreign involvement. When asked by reporters whether the suspected foreign involvement included entities from neighboring countries, the National Police Chief confirmed it bluntly.

"Yes, neighboring countries are involved," Suyudi affirmed. However, he has not yet disclosed the countries in question or the identities of the companies suspected of having foreign ties.

Suyudi explained that investigators are still categorizing companies classified as foreign direct investment (PMA - Penanaman Modal Asing) and those that are not. "From the 98 cases being investigated, there is foreign involvement. However, because this investigation process is still ongoing, we are sorting out which ones are PMA and which are not foreign entities. But what is certain is that there is foreign involvement," he said.

He also confirmed that the probe includes companies cited by the Singaporean government, although he has not elaborated on the specific identities of the firms involved.

Suspects to Be Named Soon

The Police Chief affirmed that suspects will be named shortly as the collection and examination of evidence continues. "In the near future, we will name the suspects, both company owners and shareholders responsible for the forest and land fires in Indonesia," he stated.

The limited cabinet meeting on wildfire management at Merdeka Palace was also attended by the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam), the Minister of Home Affairs, and the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). The government reaffirmed its commitment to taking firm action against corporations proven to be involved in forest and land fires.