Polda Kepri Investigate the Causes of Karhutla in Several Regions

TANJUNGPINANG - The Riau Islands Police (Kepri) is investigating the causes of forest and land fires (karhutla) that have recently occurred in a number of areas, such as Batam, Tanjungpinang, Bintan to Lingga.

Head of Public Relations of the North Sumatra Regional Police, Kombes Nona Pricillia Ohei, said the investigation was carried out to determine whether the forest fire was triggered by natural factors due to the dry season or there were intentional or negligent elements, both by the community and corporations.

"We have deployed criminal investigation units to investigate the causes of forest fires in their respective regions," said Nona as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, April 2.

But the police are still having difficulties in uncovering the perpetrators, among other things because there are few witnesses in the field and the status of ownership of the land that is often unclear.

He emphasized that the police would not tolerate those who were proven to have deliberately burned forests and land.

"If proven, the perpetrators will be prosecuted without compromise," he said.

According to him, perpetrators of forest and land burning can be charged with Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry and Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management, with a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp. 15 billion.

The North Sumatra Police also invited all elements of the community to play an active role in efforts to prevent forest fires and maintain environmental sustainability.

Since March 24, 2026, he continued, the police team has actively patrolled the hotspot area to prevent the spread of fires.

In addition, the North Sumatra Regional Police formed a joint team to handle the forest fire together with a number of related institutions following the increase in fire incidents due to the long drought in the past month.

The team consists of elements of the National Police, BPBD, Satpol PP, to the Fire Department.

"The team is divided into several zones to facilitate coordination and handling if there is a forest fire," he said.

He added that dry weather conditions accompanied by winds have the potential to expand the fire, so the public is urged not to open land by burning.

Based on data from the Riau Islands BPBD until the end of March 2026, the spread of forest fires occurred in all districts/cities in the region, namely Tanjungpinang 121 points, Bintan 351 points, Karimun 153 points, Anambas 3 points, Natuna 32 points, Batam 63 points, and Lingga 45 points.