Indonesia’s cumulative forest-fire sanctions have reached 32 companies, the Forestry Ministry said, while protesters in Central Kalimantan called for national disaster status, according to TIMES Indonesia, amid earlier differences over fire-control duties.
The ministry’s Oct. 19 release said the cumulative count rose from 26 to 32. It linked the sanctions to burned land covering 12,926.74 hectares across seven provinces. The ministry also reported criminal proceedings concerning 125 individuals or corporate entities over suspected fire-related offenses.
TIMES Indonesia reported that protesters gathered outside Gov. Agustiar Sabran’s office in Palangka Raya on Oct. 19. In a Sept. 22 interview with Prokalteng, Central Kalimantan environment agency head Joni Harta objected to blaming the provincial government and governor when fires occur. He also said his agency and national enforcement officials were examining seven corporations after fire indications were found on their concession areas.
On Sept. 23, Ristianto Pribadi, the Forestry Ministry’s head of the Public Relations and Foreign Cooperation Bureau, told JawaPos that fire response involves national and local authorities, law enforcement, businesses and communities. He said which parties carry responsibility depends on the site and its regulatory context.
A 2020 presidential instruction directs governors to coordinate provincial fire-response teams and provide funds for their work. A 2021 government regulation also requires forestry permit holders to monitor for fires, take preventive measures and respond in their licensed areas. In an Aug. 24 report, Central Kalimantan’s government said it had requested additional aircraft and ground equipment and set the provincial fire alert period through Oct. 31.
An Aug. 28 Constitutional Court ruling said a national disaster declaration requires at least three of five indicators, including one tied to the number of victims. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said the central government can provide aid without that designation.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has reported smoke in parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan, affecting residents and transport operations. Its Oct. 20-26 outlook calls for hot, relatively dry conditions in parts of Indonesia, though local rain remains possible. The provincial alert period is set to run through Oct. 31, according to the Aug. 24 report.
