The group said police actions signal a shift from routine explanations about extreme weather toward law-enforcement steps addressing alleged environmental crimes linked to the disaster’s severity.
Lilin Nusantara Director Mas Uliatul Hikmah said National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo’s decision to lead a broad investigation marks a significant change in how the state interprets and responds to ecological emergencies.
Uliatul said her organization took note when the police chief ordered teams to examine large amounts of timber found in flooded zones, a move she said demonstrated the state’s willingness to search for possible criminal triggers.
She said the instruction conveyed two messages: the state stands with affected communities, and it is prepared to pursue actors whose actions may worsen environmental risks.
From a discourse standpoint, she said, the shift reframes disasters from purely natural events to incidents with motives, actors, and legal consequences.
Uliatul said the police chief’s response also reflects ongoing institutional reforms within Polri, adding that evacuation support, area security, and early probes into illegal practices show reform taking practical form.
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She said these actions demonstrate that reform is not mere rhetoric but a sequence of tangible steps that affect public safety and dignity.
While welcoming the response, she urged careful scrutiny of official language. She said recognition of Polri must be matched by demands for consistent reform messaging aligned with structural improvements.
She underscored the need to strengthen forest governance, enforce environmental law, tighten oversight, and involve local communities in prevention efforts.
Lilin Nusantara views public discussions as essential forums to test and refine state narratives, Uliatul said, adding that her group aims to sharpen public understanding rather than pass judgment.
She called for collaboration among police, environmental experts, academics, and civil society to ensure disaster management evolves into long-term environmental reform.
She said the police chief’s leadership could serve as a model for law-enforcement contributions to ecological justice.
Barisan Rakyat 1 Juni Chairman Martin Siahaan also praised police efforts, citing orderly emergency operations and minimal unrest.
He noted Polri’s role in evacuations, aid delivery, and early investigations into companies suspected of damaging forests, and voiced support for a full probe.
Lilin Nusantara focuses on social, legal, and environmental issues through linguistic analysis of public narratives and institutional responses.
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Translator: Agatha Olivia Victoria, Primayanti
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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