President Prabowo Subianto ordered authorities on Monday, August 24, 2026, to identify five palm oil companies in Riau that previously faced enforcement action for allegedly failing to meet forest and land fire prevention obligations. The directive was issued to Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan during a coordination meeting on forest and land fire management at the AJU Command Post in Pekanbaru, Riau.
During the meeting at the AJU Command Post, Herry reported that companies operating in forest areas must maintain observation towers to monitor potential blazes. Authorities have built a total of 268 monitoring towers to date. However, Herry noted that the Ministry of Environment took enforcement action against five corporations last year for neglecting required prevention measures.
According to Herry, the sanctioned firms failed to fulfill basic obligations such as building observation towers or establishing rapid response teams to handle emerging fire spots in their operational areas. Following the briefing, Prabowo demanded the specific identities of the sanctioned businesses. “I want the names of those corporations,” Prabowo said during the coordination meeting.
Did You Know? Companies operating within forest areas in Riau are required by authorities to maintain observation towers and rapid response teams, with a total of 268 monitoring towers built to date to track potential forest and land fires.
Permit Status and Government Response
When Prabowo asked about follow-up measures against the five palm oil companies, Herry stated that they had since fulfilled their required obligations. Even so, their sanctions remain in place and their business permits have not been revoked, leaving the firms in what Herry described as a status quo.
“They have, sir, fulfilled [their obligations]. But until now, the five companies remain in status quo. The five palm oil companies remain in status quo,” Herry said, adding that their permits have not been revoked.
Prabowo stated that the government would examine the cases further in Jakarta. He warned that any business failing to participate in mandatory fire prevention efforts could face permit revocation. “Whoever does not want to participate in protecting [the environment], we will revoke [their permits],” Prabowo said, emphasizing that forest resources serve as a livelihood for both the people and the companies.
Expanding Investigations Into Current Violations
Beyond reviewing last year’s sanctioned corporations, Prabowo instructed local authorities to cast a wider net for the current year. The president directed officials to identify any other companies that may have committed similar violations in Riau throughout 2026. “Find those violating the rules this year,” Prabowo said.
Herry responded that law enforcement and regional authorities were fully prepared to follow the instructions. The push arrives as regional agencies actively work to reinforce forest and land fire prevention safeguards across Riau, where monitoring infrastructure and rapid response teams are mandatory for entities operating inside forest zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who ordered the identification of the palm oil companies?
President Prabowo Subianto ordered authorities to identify the companies during a coordination meeting.
Where did the meeting take place?
The coordination meeting on forest and land fire management was held at the AJU Command Post in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Monday, August 24, 2026.
What is the current status of the five companies sanctioned last year?
According to Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan, the five companies have fulfilled their obligations, but their sanctions remain in place, their business permits have not been revoked, and they remain in status quo while the government examines the cases further in Jakarta.
What steps do you think authorities should take next to ensure companies comply with fire prevention rules?
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