JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesian police have arrested 72 people suspected of starting forest and peatland fires that have sent choking haze across parts of Indonesia and into neighboring Malaysia, as authorities widen their investigation to determine whether larger interests may have financed or directed illegal land burning.
The arrests are connected to 89 forest and land fire cases across nine provinces—five on Borneo and four on Sumatra—according to Indonesia’s National Police. Investigators believe many of the fires were deliberately set to clear land for plantations and agriculture at a lower cost.
But the crackdown may not end with those accused of lighting the fires.
Police officials said investigators are tracing financial records and examining who may have benefited from the land-clearing activities, raising the possibility that the investigation could eventually reach companies or other parties allegedly involved behind the scenes. Suspects could face heavy fines and prison sentences of up to 15 years, according to authorities.
Thousands of Hotspots as Fires Fuel a Regional Haze Crisis
The latest arrests come as Indonesia battles a severe fire season intensified by prolonged dry conditions and an El Niño weather pattern. Peatland fires are particularly difficult to extinguish because flames can continue burning beneath the surface, allowing fires to persist and reignite even after they appear to be under control.
Authorities reported more than 3,700 hotspots on Borneo and over 1,700 in South Sumatra on Sunday, while firefighting operations have included cloud-seeding, water-bombing missions and aerial surveillance using dozens of helicopters.
The scale of the crisis has drawn the attention of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who visited fire-hit Central Kalimantan, where more than 7,600 hectares had burned. The government has also said that at least four companies in West Kalimantan are under investigation, with possible sanctions—including the revocation of operating permits—if wrongdoing is proven.
Smoke Crosses Borders, Schools Shut in Malaysia
The fires are no longer just an Indonesian emergency. Thick smoke has drifted across borders into Malaysia, where Sarawak has been among the hardest-hit areas.
Recent reports said hazardous air conditions forced the closure of nearly 600 schools, affecting about 200,000 students. The worsening haze has once again highlighted Southeast Asia’s long-running struggle with transboundary pollution caused by recurring forest and peatland fires.
Earlier reports also showed how quickly the situation escalated: Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry recorded thousands of hotspots, while smoke in some affected areas reduced visibility dramatically and disrupted daily life and transportation. Authorities have warned that anyone found deliberately setting fires will face legal action.
A Familiar Crisis—But a Bigger Question Remains
Indonesia has faced devastating fire and haze crises before, often linked to illegal land clearing and the vulnerability of drained peatlands during dry seasons. While this week’s arrests signal a major enforcement push, environmental and regional concerns remain focused on one critical question:
Will authorities stop at those accused of starting the fires—or uncover who may have profited from them?
For now, the investigation continues as firefighters race to contain the blazes and millions across the region watch the skies.
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