In brief
The Indonesian Islamic Students Association's Central Executive Board praised Jakarta police for naming 20 companies as suspects in forest and land fires. PB HMI called for transparent legal proceedings, environmental restoration, and equal enforcement of environmental laws.
PB HMI welcomed Jakarta police for naming 20 companies as suspects in recent forest and land fires in Indonesia. The move is seen as a step toward holding industry accountable for the fires that have damaged ecosystems and local livelihoods.
Herdiansyah Iskandar, PB HMI’s deputy secretary‑general for strategic policy, said:
Prosecuting companies was essential to ensuring equal treatment under the law.
He added that naming suspects must not end the process:
However, naming suspects must not end the process. The state must ensure investigations remain transparent, professional and accountable.
Iskandar pointed out that forest fires are a matter of environmental justice, not just law enforcement.
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 urged the government to strengthen prevention measures, including reviewing permits, monitoring concessions, conducting environmental audits and improving early detection in fire‑prone areas.
The government must strengthen prevention by reviewing permits, monitoring concessions, conducting environmental audits and improving early detection in fire‑prone areas.
Iskandar also said the state must review concession oversight and ensure all companies meet their environmental protection obligations.
The state must review concession oversight and ensure all companies meet their environmental protection obligations. The state must not act only after damage has occurred.
He called for liability beyond punishment, requiring affected companies to rehabilitate ecosystems and pay compensation in line with applicable laws.
Companies found responsible must rehabilitate ecosystems and pay compensation in accordance with applicable laws.
Iskandar stressed that success should include restoration, community protection, and guarantees against recurring fires.
Success must not be measured solely by the number of companies named as suspects. It must also include environmental restoration, protection for affected communities and guarantees against recurring fires.
He added that Indonesia welcomes foreign investment but not at the cost of the environment, emphasizing equal law application for all firms regardless of size or origin.
Indonesia welcomes investment, but not at the expense of the environment. Domestic and foreign companies operating here must comply with Indonesian law. No one should receive preferential treatment.
