Indonesian authorities have warned that anyone found responsible for starting forest or land fires will face legal action as widespread wildfires across Borneo and other parts of the country generate thick haze that has spread into neighbouring Malaysia.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni issued the warning during a visit on Wednesday to fire-hit areas near Palangka Raya, the capital of Central Kalimantan province. “Whoever they are, big or small, without exception, anyone who destroys nature and forests will face strict legal action,” Antoni said.
The warning comes as authorities intensify efforts to contain fires that have produced dense smoke across parts of Indonesian Borneo, reducing visibility, disrupting transport and contributing to deteriorating air quality in neighbouring Malaysia.
The fires are concentrated in several parts of Borneo, the world’s third-largest island, which is shared by Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.Indonesia occupies roughly three-quarters of the island, and its Forestry Ministry has recorded more than 5,000 hotspots in the region. Parts of Kalimantan have been blanketed by thick haze, with visibility reportedly falling to between one and 10 metres in some areas, according to local media reports.
The reduced visibility has contributed to traffic accidents and flight delays, while emergency authorities continue monitoring the spread of the fires and smoke. Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency said an intensifying El Niño pattern and a prolonged dry season have created conditions that allow fires to spread more easily.
The resulting smoke has also crossed international borders, affecting communities in Malaysia. Malaysia’s eastern state of Sarawak, located on the Malaysian side of Borneo, has been among the areas most affected by the haze.
Unhealthy Air Quality
Authorities reported “very unhealthy” air quality in one district on Friday, while eight other districts recorded unhealthy readings. The deteriorating air quality prompted the closure of nearly 600 schools, affecting around 200,000 students, according to the Sarawak government.
The closures highlight the wider regional impact of Indonesia’s annual fire problem, as smoke from burning forests and peatlands can travel across national borders during severe dry seasons. Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries have repeatedly raised concerns about transboundary haze, which can affect public health, transportation and economic activity.
Indonesian police have launched investigations into a number of forest and land fires in Central Kalimantan. Central Kalimantan Police Chief Iwan Kurniawan said investigators had detained 12 suspects over the past week in connection with alleged arson and illegal land clearing. “Every forest and land fire incident in Central Kalimantan is investigated,” Kurniawan said.
He added that authorities were working to establish the causes of the fires and identify those responsible. Indonesia has long struggled with fires started illegally to clear land for agriculture and plantations. During prolonged dry periods, fires can spread rapidly, particularly in peatland areas, where underground fires can be difficult to detect and extinguish.
The scale of the fires has increased sharply in recent weeks. Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry detected 11,908 hotspots nationwide in the previous 24 hours, almost double the 6,352 recorded a day earlier. Forest-monitoring platform Nusantara Atlas estimated that around 182,000 hectares of land burned in July alone, nearly twice the area affected during the first half of the year.
The total area burned in Indonesia so far this year has reached approximately 285,000 hectares. Authorities have deployed firefighters and other emergency resources to affected areas, while law enforcement agencies have stepped up investigations into suspected illegal burning.
The government has repeatedly warned individuals and companies against using fire to clear land, particularly during the dry season when fires can quickly spread beyond their original locations.
Indonesia regularly experiences major forest and land fires during severe dry seasons, particularly on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. When peatlands catch fire, they can produce large amounts of smoke for extended periods, creating hazardous haze that can spread across Southeast Asia.
Authorities say many fires are linked to illegal land clearing for plantations or agricultural purposes, although weather conditions, drought and natural vegetation also influence how quickly fires spread. With thousands of hotspots continuing to be detected and air quality worsening in parts of Malaysia, Indonesian authorities are under growing pressure to contain the fires and hold those responsible for illegal burning accountable.
For now, officials say enforcement will remain a key part of the response, with Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni warning that those found responsible for destroying forests or starting illegal fires will face strict legal consequences.
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