JAKARTA - The Riau Police continue to take action against perpetrators of forest and land fires (Karhutlah). It was recorded that 44 people were named as suspects out of 35 cases handled.
Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryyawan emphasized that the prosecution of dozens of suspects was carried out during the period January to July 2025.
In addition, the burned land area reaches 269 hectares. Strict steps are taken as a moral and strategic commitment in protecting the environment in Bumi Lancang Kuning.
In addition, law enforcement is not only a matter of administrative violations. But regarding taking sides with nature, people's right to life for clean air, and future generations.
"There is no mercy for forest burners. If you burn the forest, you burn the nation's future. We will come to pick them up," said Herry Heryawan at Serindit Hall, Pekanbaru, Tuesday, July 22.
The Riau Police also noted that during July 2025 alone there were 23 Karhutla police reports, with 29 suspects and a total area of burned land of 213 hectares.
Among the prominent cases, one of which occurred in Bukit S, Sungai Salak Village, Rokan Hulu, with a burned area of up to 30 hectares. Three suspects have been arrested, including the owner of the land which is strongly suspected of ordering his subordinates to prepare land by burning.
The police also confiscated evidence in the form of lighters, hoes, land documents, and agricultural equipment. The majority of the perpetrators admitted that the motive for the arson was to open an oil palm plantation.
They were charged with multiple criminal articles, including the Environmental Protection and Management Act, the Forestry Law, and the Criminal Code, with a maximum threat of 10 to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to IDR 15 billion.
The man who is often called Herymen also emphasized that the Green Policing approach is not mere jargon, but a concrete movement that integrates education, early detection, and law enforcement as a unit.
Green Policing is our way of maintaining tuh and marwah in this country. Because if forests are damaged, the ecosystem is destroyed, and the people's economy also collapses. We don't want Riau to be known as the sender of cross-border smoke. We have to change," said Herry.
At the same moment, the Minister of Environment and Forestry, Hanif Faisol, expressed his high appreciation for the Riau Police's steps in encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration.
"I really appreciate the Riau Police's initiative in organizing the Karhutla alert rally. Cross-sectoral collaboration built in Riau must be a national example. Prevention is key. Don't let us just be reactive when the fire has spread," said Hanif.
His party has instructed all ranks to strengthen surveillance patrols with police and TNI officers in areas prone to forest and land fires.
"Riau must be smoke-free, the people are healthy, and the investment will not be disrupted," he said.
It is also called for the importance of collective awareness in protecting the environment. According to him, the responsibility to protect the earth is not only on the shoulders of the government, but also society and the business world.
"We've seen for ourselves how environmental damage has an impact on flooding, drought, smog, and even social conflict. So let's stop blaming, let's start fixing it," said Hanif.
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