There Is An Intentional Element, 4 Hectares Of Peat Land Fire Cases In Penajam Rise To Investigation

Illustrations of land and forest fires (DOC ANTARA)

Penajam Paser Utara Police, East Kalimantan, found an element of intent in the fire incident of a four-hectare peatland in Giripurwa Village, Penajam District, which occurred on August 4, 2023. North Penajam Paser Police Chief AKBP Hendrik Eka Bahalwan said cases of forest and land fires in Giripurwa Village, Penajam District had been upgraded to investigation. "The legal status of the land fire in Giripurwa Village has been upgraded to the investigation stage because it has fulfilled the criminal element," said Hendrik in Penajam, Antara, Friday, August 18. The elements found in the deepening of cases of forest and land fires in Giripurwa Village were intentional. The police have not yet named a suspect in the peatland fire case because investigators are still collecting evidence. "The investigation of land fires in the village continues and there is some evidence that must be fulfilled before determining the suspect," he said. The community and company are reminded not to clear land by burning because it has the potential to cause major disasters of fire and smoke pollution. "Land clearing by burning has the potential to cause a wider fire, especially during the dry season," he said.

"If someone is proven to have burned forests and land, then fulfilling the criminal element, they will be prosecuted," said Hendrik.