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Prabowo threatens to revoke corporate permits over land burning
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has intensified the government's response to forest and land fires (karhutla) across Sumatra and Kalimantan. During coordination meetings in Riau and South Sumatra, Prabowo issued a stern warning to corporations, stating that any company found to have ordered or participated in land burning will face immediate revocation of all business permits.
In Riau, authorities reported that three individuals were detained for using a 'fake fishing' tactic to access and burn land, allegedly acting on behalf of corporations. Additionally, five palm oil companies previously sanctioned for failing to maintain fire prevention infrastructure, such as watchtowers, are under scrutiny. To combat the fires, Prabowo has proposed the development of 'ubi bombing'—a fire suppressant made from tuber-based flour, such as cassava, which could be deployed via aircraft.
Regarding current fire statistics, officials reported that in Riau, approximately 15,000 hectares of the 16,277 hectares burned since January have been successfully managed, leaving roughly 900 hectares remaining. In South Sumatra, the situation is considered under control with 199 hectares still burning. The National Police have also implemented mitigation measures, including the construction of 1,296 ponds and 834 canal blocks, and have named 72 suspects in various fire-related cases.
Entities
Bareskrim Polri · Habiburokhman · Indonesian National Police · Kalimantan Barat · Komisi III DPR RI · Ministry of Forestry · Polri · Prabowo Subianto · Riau · South Sumatra
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The National Police has named 72 suspects in forest and land fire cases across nine regional police departments. www.matamata.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Five palm oil companies were previously sanctioned by the Ministry of Environment for failing to meet fire prevention obligations. news.harianjogja.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Three individuals were detained for allegedly acting as land-burning executors using a 'fake fishing' modus operandi. www.riaukepri.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Prabowo proposed developing a fire suppressant made from tuber-based flour, such as cassava, for large-scale production. en.tempo.co · www.antaranews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Prabowo Subianto ordered the revocation of business permits for corporations suspected of ordering land burning. en.tempo.co
- [DISPUTED] Authorities have managed approximately 15,000 hectares of the burned land in Riau, leaving about 900 hectares remaining. news.okezone.com
- [DISPUTED] Approximately 16,277 hectares of land burned in Riau between January and August 2026. news.okezone.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Indonesian National Police has constructed 1,296 ponds and 834 canal blocks to mitigate forest fires. www.matamata.com