Prabowo Orders Permit Revocation for Corporate Land Burning

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto ordered law enforcement agencies to revoke all business permits of corporations suspected of ordering or carrying out the burning of forests and land for clearing. During a coordination meeting in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Monday, the president directed the police, prosecutors, and intelligence agencies to investigate these companies, stating the policy applies to all corporations without exception.

To reduce slash-and-burn practices, the government will provide land-clearing assistance to residents through local governments and farmer groups, funded by cooperatives and the People's Business Credit program. Prabowo also called for immediate intervention at newly detected thermal hotspots to prevent wildfires from spreading.

Following the meeting in Riau, the president traveled to Palembang, South Sumatra, to inspect wildfires and lead a second coordination session. He ordered a firm crackdown on perpetrators, stating they must be arrested if necessary. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya detailed a strengthened prevention system involving the drilling of wells and reservoirs, permanent monitoring, and early hotspot detection to stop recurring dry-season fires.

Law enforcement reported significant activity in the fight against illegal burning. The Indonesian National Police named 72 suspects in 89 cases between January 1 and August 21, 2026, while the South Sumatra Regional Police reported handling 15 fire reports and naming 17 suspects.