National Police Chief Names 11 Corporate Suspects
Chief of the Indonesian National Police (Kapolri) General Suyudi Ario Seto announced that the National Police (Polri) have named 11 corporations as suspects in forest and land fires (karhutla) cases. Of that total, three are foreign investment companies (PMA - Penanaman Modal Asing).
"We have named 11 corporate suspects. Three of them are foreign investment companies, while the process is still ongoing," Suyudi said after attending a Plenary Cabinet Meeting at the Jakarta Presidential Palace compound on Wednesday (10/21/2026).
The naming of suspects marks an escalation in forest fire law enforcement to the corporate level, following earlier police focuses on individual reports and administrative sanctions issued by the Ministry of Forestry.
Identities Withheld, 3 Foreign Firms in Kalimantan
Despite designating suspects, Suyudi has not yet disclosed the identities of the 11 corporations bearing suspect status. "It will be explained later," he told reporters.
The National Police Chief confirmed that the three foreign companies implicated are based in Kalimantan. He mentioned that ties with parties from several nations are still being examined by investigators, though details regarding the countries involved have not been made public.
Suyudi emphasized that the investigation into the corporations allegedly involved in forest fires has proceeded smoothly. He also stated that legal accountability would be traced directly to company owners and shareholders responsible for the corporate activities.
Prabowo: Environmental Terrorism, Revoke Violators' Permits
President Prabowo Subianto affirmed that forest and land fires must not be taken lightly. He described forest and land burning as a form of environmental terrorism and a crime against humanity, given the health hazards posed to millions of Indonesian citizens.
In his opening remarks at the Plenary Cabinet Meeting, Prabowo instructed the police, the prosecutor's office, and the Ministry of Forestry—supported by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and intelligence services—to investigate and take decisive action against all perpetrators, both individuals and corporations. He also firmly stated that permits would be revoked for all firms proven to have committed violations.
The firm order followed findings indicating that forest fires are not solely natural occurrences, but involve human intervention and corporate complicity across several regions.
Context: 98 Corporate Cases Under Investigation
Previously, on Monday (10/19/2026), the National Police Chief stated that Polri was examining 98 corporate cases tied to forest fires and found indications of foreign involvement. "Out of the 98 cases examined, there is foreign involvement," Suyudi said following a limited cabinet meeting at the Merdeka Palace.
Naming the 11 corporations as suspects serves as a concrete follow-up to that investigation. Polri stated that further suspect designations remain possible as inquiries progress and investigators gather evidence.
This move also complements administrative law enforcement actions already underway, including the revocation and suspension of permits for dozens of companies by the Ministry of Forestry, alongside corporate investigations conducted by Regional Police (Polda) across affected provinces.
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