"In the near future, I will communicate with the Indonesian National Police Chief so that the Regional Police Chiefs, along with our Directorate General of Law Enforcement, will regularly provide updates on the progress of the legal process against those involved in forest and land fires," Antoni said after a national forest and land fire coordination meeting in Jakarta, on Monday.
The minister remarked that such an open announcement could educate the public and corporations, serving as a warning to avoid causing unlawful forest and land fires.
He stated that law enforcement is not just about punishing perpetrators, but also plays a key role in deterring future forest and land fires.
Hence, the government must demonstrate consistency in legal actions to increase public trust in forest and land fire mitigation efforts.
"Law enforcement cannot be superficial. This is about ecological justice and protecting citizens from the dangers of haze and environmental crises," he remarked.
Antoni also commended the police, particularly the Riau Regional Police, for handling 43 forest and land fire cases involving a total of 51 suspects.
He expressed hope that similar measures will be taken in other fire-prone provinces, such as Jambi, South Sumatra, Central Kalimantan, and West Kalimantan.
"Hopefully, this serves as a stern warning: never play with fire. It is because fire not only burns forests but also our future," he emphasized.
Translator: M Riezko Bima Elko Prasetyo, Martha Herlinawati Si
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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