Prabowo calls for stricter sanctions against forest fire perpetrators

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 18, 2026

Indonesia’s government, led by President Prabowo Subianto, is implementing stricter regulations and stronger legal actions to combat the worst wildfire outbreak in over a decade, focusing on eliminating slash-and-burn land clearing. The fires, worsened by severe drought, have caused hazardous transboundary haze affecting neighboring countries and may continue until November, prompting expanded firefighting efforts and international support.

Indonesia is intensifying efforts to curb widespread wildfires as the country confronts its most severe fire crisis in over a decade. President Prabowo Subianto on September 16 called for stricter regulations and harsher legal sanctions against individuals and corporations responsible for using slash-and-burn techniques to clear land.

The fires, exacerbated by "super El Nino" weather conditions causing prolonged drought, have predominantly affected the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. The resulting haze has not only impacted Indonesia but has also crossed borders, leading to unhealthy air quality in neighboring Singapore and Malaysia. This transboundary pollution has contributed to a rise in respiratory illnesses in the region.

In a Cabinet meeting, Prabowo emphasized a zero-tolerance approach toward those accountable for the outbreaks. He directed the State Secretary and the Minister of Law and Human Rights to explore stronger legal measures, including proposals to categorize deliberate forest burning as “ecological terrorism.” The President also urged parliament to consider toughening existing laws related to land-clearing fires.

Furthermore, Prabowo ordered local governments to eliminate exemptions that currently permit smallholders to clear land plots by burning. He called on law enforcement agencies to initiate criminal investigations against companies found violating fire prevention protocols.

To combat the blazes, Indonesia has deployed more than 50 aircraft for water-bombing and cloud-seeding operations. Japan has contributed to these efforts by sending three CH-47 Chinook helicopters last week, although adverse weather conditions delayed their active involvement until recently.

According to government data, fires consumed approximately 202,000 hectares of land between January and July 2026, while environmental group YKAN estimates an additional 600,000 hectares were affected in August alone. Forestry Minister Raja Julai Antoni cautioned that the wildfires could persist until early November due to a delayed rainy season forecast.

The ongoing crisis underscores persistent challenges in managing Indonesia’s forests amid changing climate patterns and high demand for land clearance, with authorities moving to enhance enforcement and mitigate further environmental and public health impacts.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.