Indonesia's president seeks tougher penalties as wildfire and haze crisis continues

Reuters reported on September 17 that President Prabowo called for tougher sanctions against people and companies using fire to clear land and asked parliament to strengthen the law. He described deliberately setting such fires as 'ecological terrorism.'

Police said they had opened 219 criminal investigations, named 162 suspects and were examining 95 companies. Those numbers describe investigations and enforcement activity; they do not mean every person or company under review has been convicted.

Government data show about 202,000 hectares burned from January through July. AP previously reported that haze cut visibility in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, to less than one kilometre, disrupting flights and daily life. Smoke has also affected Malaysia and Singapore.

Indonesia has deployed more than 50 aircraft for water-bombing and cloud-seeding operations, with Japan also providing helicopter support. Peat fires can smoulder underground for long periods, and officials have warned that drought and delayed rain could keep fires burning into early November. Residents should follow local air-quality and health guidance.