Police Seize Fuel, Oil Palm Seedlings in Forest Fire Investigation

August 24, 2026 | 06:42 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the Indonesian National Police has seized 35 lighters while handling forest and land fire cases across nine regions. Police also discovered fuel, felling tools, and oil palm seedlings, pointing to suspected arson intended for land clearing.

Brigadier General Mohammad Irhamni, Director of Specific Crimes at Bareskrim Polri, stated that the lighters were allegedly used by perpetrators to ignite the fires. "This is evidence that the burning was indeed intentional," Irhamni said during a press conference at the National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

In addition to the lighters, investigators seized two plastic bottles of used motor oil, two plastic bottles containing diesel fuel, two 10-liter jerrycans of diesel, two plastic bottles containing *Pertalite* (gasoline), and one plastic bottle containing kerosene.

Police also found various tools suspected to be linked to land clearing, including 21 machetes, two axes, one hoe, and two chainsaws. Other evidence included 39 charred logs, five plastic bags containing samples of burnt soil, 13 used polybags, six oil palm seedlings, and a pair of boots.

According to Irhamni, this collection of evidence points to suspected arson aimed at clearing land. Police suspect the perpetrators took advantage of the dry season to burn the land before utilizing it for plantations during the rainy season. "The motive for the burning was, of course, land clearing," Irhamni stated.

Examination results indicate that some perpetrators had cleared the vegetation from the land three to four months prior to the burning. Irhamni noted that this pattern was observed in regions including Riau, Jambi, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan.

The majority of the suspects are farmers, dry-field cultivators, or odd-job workers. They were clearing land for agricultural purposes, including oil palm cultivation.

Irhamni explained that the perpetrators chose burning because they considered it cheaper than clearing the land using machinery or equipment. Using machinery entails higher rental and fuel costs.

"Clearing land using machinery is expensive—especially with current fuel prices and equipment rental rates. Burning is the easiest option," said Irhamni.

Beyond cost savings, Irhamni noted that those involved believe the resulting ash fertilizes the soil. This perception makes burning a preferred method for preparing land for cultivation.

Since February 2026, the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) has handled 89 reports of alleged forest and land fires in Riau, West Kalimantan, South Sumatra, Jambi, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, Aceh, and North Kalimantan. Police initially named 72 suspects. However, one case was subsequently dropped via an investigation termination order (SP3), leaving 71 suspects whose cases proceeded.

Police initiate case handling by monitoring hotspots. Officers then verify the location and confirm the existence of the fire. Once the fire is extinguished and the site is safe, investigators process the scene to look for evidence of criminal activity.

Irhamni stated that police escalate cases to the formal investigation stage if a criminal offense is identified. Investigators then question witnesses, seize evidence, and name suspects.

Bareskrim suspects that the primary motive for the burning is to cut land-clearing costs. "The method most frequently used by the suspects is intentional burning to keep plantation operational costs low or economical," Irhamni said.

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