Indonesia Arrests 72 Over Forest Fires Kalimantan Sumatra

Indonesian authorities have arrested 72 people suspected of starting forest and peatland fires across Borneo and Sumatra, in a crackdown tied to land clearing for plantations amid an intensifying El Niño-driven dry season. Police say investigations will look beyond ground perpetrators to determine who financed or ordered the fires, potentially expanding the case to include corporate involvement and revocation of licenses. President Prabowo Subianto has deployed troops and firefighting resources to central Kalimantan and other affected areas, promising government support and accountability for those responsible. The fires have produced a hazardous haze that crossed into neighboring Malaysia, prompting cross-border concerns and penalties ranging up to 15 years for those charged. The crackdown heightens ESG and regulatory scrutiny for plantation firms as investors monitor land-management practices and supply-chain risks. Authorities stress tracing the ultimate beneficiaries of the fires as part of a comprehensive effort to curb illegal burning in the region.