Prabowo threatens to revoke permits of 95 corporations linked to forest fires

President Prabowo Subianto has announced that 95 corporations are suspected of being involved in or responsible for forest and land fires. He has instructed the Indonesian National Police to investigate these allegations thoroughly. Prabowo stated that once sufficient evidence of violations is gathered, he will proceed with the revocation of the companies' operating permits.

The President emphasized that recent forest fires are not solely natural occurrences but are often exacerbated by human activity. He cited Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, which mandates state control over land and natural resources, as the basis for taking decisive action against violators.

In a related development, the Forum Penyelamat Hutan Jawa (FPHJ) has called for law enforcement to look beyond field workers and target the financiers behind forest destruction in West Java. The group warned that illegal activities, including unauthorized mining and land clearing for plantations, increase the risks of floods and landslides. FPHJ urged authorities to investigate the root causes and the individuals providing the capital for these illegal operations.