In brief
The Indonesian Muslim Students Association welcomed the police decision to name 20 companies as suspects in recent forest and land fires. The group stresses the need for transparent investigations, environmental restoration and prevention measures. It also calls for equal legal treatment and highlights the impact of fires on ecosystems and communities.
In Jakarta, the Indonesian Muslim Students Association's Central Executive Board—called PB HMI—welcomed the police’s decision to name 20 companies as suspects in the recent forest and land fires that have scorched hundreds of hectares across Indonesia. The move, announced on Saturday, signals a growing recognition that corporate actors bear responsibility for the destructive blaze that has threatened biodiversity, livelihoods and the country’s climate commitments.
The police briefing identified the suspects as a mix of state‑owned and foreign‑invested firms, though the identities and roles of the companies have not all been disclosed publicly. The decision is part of a broader investigation that has already seen local authorities tighten monitoring of fire‑prone regions and strengthen early‑warning protocols.
“Prosecuting companies is essential to ensuring equal treatment under the law,” said Herdiansyah Iskandar, PB HMI’s deputy secretary‑general for strategic policy.
The deputy secretary‑general added that naming suspects should be only the first step. He called for transparent investigations and professional accountability to deliver legal certainty, stressing that environmental protection must go beyond punitive measures.
“Forest and land fires are not merely law‑enforcement issues but matters of environmental justice, requiring more than punitive action after damage has occurred,” he said.
He argued that the state must strengthen prevention through review of permits, stricter oversight of concessions, mandatory environmental audits and enhanced early detection in fire‑prone areas.
The blazes have left more than trees charred. Air quality warnings have been issued city‑wide, fishermen have lost fish stocks, and rural communities face food insecurity and economic loss. As Herdiansyah pointed out, the long‑term sustainability of ecosystems is at stake.
“The government must make corporate law enforcement conditional on environmental restoration,” he said.
And that companies found responsible must rehabilitate ecosystems and pay compensation in accordance with applicable laws.
On foreign investment, Herdiansyah stressed that Indonesia's legal sovereignty must be upheld and that environmental laws apply equally regardless of a company’s size or origin. He said: “Indonesia welcomes investment, but not at the expense of the environment.”
Environmental scientists have warned that without reliable data on fire frequency and causes, policy responses will remain reactive. Herdiansyah urged the creation of a publicly accessible database that tracks company compliance with fire‑risk mitigation protocols and allows citizens to monitor progress.
Local communities, many of whom reside on forest fringes, have organized fire‑watching teams using satellite alerts and radio transmitters to provide real‑time updates. The students association encourages the government to formalize these grassroots efforts into state‑supported mitigation programs.
With the police’s latest action, the country has opened a new chapter in holding business accountable for environmental damage. The real test will be whether the investigation leads to concrete restoration, stronger prevention practices and guarantees against future fires, echoing PB HMI’s call for a holistic approach that protects both the planet and the people who depend on it.
