48 Karhutla Perpetrators In South Sumatra Immediately Tried, Prosecutor's Office Promises Maximum Punishment

The South Sumatra Prosecutor's Office in the Jakabaring Palembang area (ANTARA/Yudi Abdullah)

The South Sumatra High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati) received the delegation of cases from local police officers against 48 perpetrators of forest and land fires (karhutla) in the 2023 dry season.

"The case of the perpetrator of forest and land fires is currently in the process of preparing charges for further legal proceedings at the court," said Head of the South Sumatra High Prosecutor's Office Sarjono Turin in Palembang as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, October 31.

He explained that all of the forest and land fire actors who are in the prosecution process are individuals, there are no cases involving the company.

Based on the investigation by the police, the perpetrators of forest and land fires were arrested for allegedly committing the habit of burning land/forests to open gardens and other interests.

According to the rule of law, burning activities in forest and land areas for any benefit during the dry season are criminal acts because they can cause forest and land fires and smog disasters.

Seeing the impact of forest and land fires can cause a smog disaster that disrupts various public activities and health, anyone who is proven to have committed environmental crimes will be processed in accordance with legal provisions.

"To provide a deterrent effect to the community so that in the future they will no longer burn forests and land for any benefit, prosecution of forest and land players will be determined optimally," he said.

"Through maximum prosecution, it is hoped that forest and land fire actors can be processed in court with a decision in accordance with the prosecutor's demands so that they can give a warning to the public to stay away from forest and land burning activities," said Kajati Sarjono.