Indonesian police investigate 98 companies over forest fires, including possible foreign links

Indonesian police are investigating 98 cases involving companies linked to forest and land fires, including possible involvement by foreign parties, as the government considers assistance from Singapore to tackle fires and haze affecting the region.

National Police Chief Suyudi Ario Seto said on 19 October 2026 that all 98 cases had reached the investigation stage, with investigators gathering evidence before identifying suspects.

He said company owners and shareholders could face accountability if investigators establish their responsibility for fires linked to their businesses.

“There is foreign involvement,” Suyudi told reporters after a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Prabowo Subianto.

Asked whether the foreign parties included those from neighbouring countries, he replied: “Yes, there are neighbouring countries.”

Suyudi did not identify the countries or companies involved. He said investigators were still examining which cases involved foreign investment or foreign parties and which did not.

“However, because we are still in the investigation process, we are currently sorting through the cases to determine which involve foreign investment or foreign parties and which do not involve foreign parties,” he said.

Police were still collecting evidence before naming suspects, Suyudi added.

“In the near future, we will certainly name suspects, whether they are company owners or shareholders responsible for the corporations linked to the forest and land fires in Indonesia,” he said.

The investigations come as Indonesia faces continued pressure to contain forest and land fires, which have contributed to haze spreading across parts of South-east Asia for several weeks.

Singapore and Malaysia have both offered assistance, while Indonesian authorities say they are continuing firefighting operations with domestic resources.

Companies face administrative sanctions

Indonesia's Forestry Ministry said on 19 October that it had imposed administrative sanctions on 32 companies over forest fires, an increase from 26 companies previously.

The companies were linked to 12,926.74 hectares of burned land, according to the ministry.

The ministry did not provide further details in the announcement about the companies' identities or the specific sanctions imposed.

The investigations could extend accountability beyond the companies directly operating in areas affected by fires.

Indonesia holds off on foreign help for fires, says it can still cope on its own

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Dudung Abdurachman said Indonesia was discussing assistance from Singapore through the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

“There will also be assistance from Singapore, which will be discussed with the head of BNPB,” Dudung said after the Cabinet meeting.

He did not disclose what equipment, personnel or other resources Singapore might provide, or when any assistance could be deployed.

Dudung said Indonesia had not declared the fires a national disaster and remained capable of managing the situation with its own resources.

“On the question of declaring a national disaster, for now we are still capable. Our country is still capable,” he said, according to Indonesian news outlet Kompas.

He explained that declaring a national disaster would allow foreign assistance to become available.

“This means that if a national disaster is declared, assistance from foreign countries would become available,” Kompas quoted him as saying.

Dudung said several countries had offered help, but Indonesia was continuing its response without declaring a national disaster.

Malaysia's offer awaits approval

Malaysia has also offered aircraft and personnel to help Indonesia fight the fires.

Dudung said Indonesia had responded to an offer involving three aircraft and 52 personnel, and welcomed the assistance.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on 19 October that Malaysia was awaiting Indonesia's official approval before deploying the resources.

Dudung also defended Indonesia's firefighting response, saying the authorities had mobilised 60,000 personnel and 47 aircraft.

He said fires on peatland were particularly difficult to tackle and asked the public to recognise the scale of the operations.

“We have made every possible effort. We ask everyone not to be swayed by claims that make it seem as though we are doing nothing. We have done everything we possibly can, with TNI soldiers, police officers and others involved,” he said.

President orders wider deployment

Dudung said Prabowo had ordered a wider deployment of military, police and forestry personnel to tackle the fires.

The president had also directed aerial firefighting operations using Hercules aircraft, Dudung said.

Prabowo had instructed companies and security personnel to strengthen fire prevention measures, including constructing bore wells and water storage facilities in areas prone to recurring fires.

Dudung said the president had warned that forest fires would return each year, although their frequency could vary.

Prabowo had therefore ordered preventive measures to begin early, with the aim of allowing authorities to act before fires broke out rather than waiting for them to spread.

“Do not wait for the rain to fall. Take action immediately,” Dudung said, repeating the president's words after the Cabinet meeting on 19 October.

Singapore warns companies over haze

Singapore has said it will continue working with Indonesia and other members of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) to address the haze.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said Singapore would maintain close cooperation with Indonesia and its regional partners.

Singapore's Senior Minister K Shanmugam also warned on 19 October that the country would pursue companies responsible for transboundary haze through legal, regulatory and economic measures.

Shanmugam said Singapore would pursue those responsible “for as long as it takes”, including through possible changes to legislation.

Singapore's investigations are examining corporate relationships, financing arrangements and government incentives involving companies potentially implicated in the fires.

Shanmugam said the investigations would extend beyond individual land concession holders to parent companies and people who ultimately control them.

He warned that companies could not avoid responsibility by operating through complicated corporate structures.

The Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) has issued preventive measure notices to 10 Indonesian companies.

Investigations indicated that Asia Pulp & Paper, which is part of the Sinar Mas Group, purchased from three companies that had received notices. Online checks also found links to four companies, according to Shanmugam.

He identified possible associations between smoke-source points and Singapore-listed agricultural companies First Resources, Bumitama Agri and First Borneo Plantations.

The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has also queried seven listed agricultural companies over possible connections to the haze.

Kencana Agri disclosed a preliminary Indonesian inquiry into a fire involving one of its subsidiaries.

Several other companies denied links to the fires.