Kasus Karhutla Di Bengkalis Riau, Polisi Tegaskan Pelakunya Bakal Diroses Pidana

Illustration - Activities of the Riau BPBD Team when extinguishing the fire of forest and land fires. (ANTARA/HO-BPBD Riau)

RIAU - Bengkalis Police in Riau Province confirmed that they would thoroughly investigate the forest and land fires (karhutla) that occurred on Jalan Sepakat, Sei Buyung Hamlet, Bantan District, Riau, Saturday, February 8.

"We will investigate this case thoroughly and ensure that the perpetrators get appropriate sanctions," said Bengkalis Police Chief AKBP Budi Setiawan in Bengkalis, Riau, Thursday, February 13, as reported by Antara.

On Sunday 9 February or the day after receiving a report of forest and land fires, Budi said that his party had moved to the location and secured the Supreme Court, allegedly the perpetrator of burning land belonging to other people, which led to forest and land fires.

During the arrest process, the police confiscated a number of evidences, including a hoe and a burnt wood.

The MA perpetrator, who has been named a suspect, was charged with Article 108 in conjunction with Article 69 Paragraph (1) Letter H of Law Number 32 Year 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management or Article 187 in conjunction with Article 188 of the Criminal Code.

He emphasized that his party will continue to investigate this case and ensure that the perpetrators get punishment in accordance with applicable legal provisions.

Furthermore, Budi reminded the public not to burn land that could damage the environment and potentially cause a wider forest and land fire disaster.

"We urge the public not to take actions that can damage the environment, including burning land carelessly," he said.