DPR Commission IV Agrees, Included in Forestry Law Revision

The Indonesian House of Representatives' Commission IV supports the government's plan to classify deliberately set forest and land fires (karhutla) as ecological terrorism. The support was conveyed by Commission IV member Daniel Johan on Saturday (24/10/2026), who assessed that existing criminal penalties have not had a deterrent effect.

"Deliberate forest and land fires are not merely administrative violations or ordinary crimes," said Daniel. According to him, the impact of forest and land fires destroys ecosystems, disrupts the health of millions of citizens, paralyzes economic activity, and becomes a burden on the country's reputation in the eyes of the world.

The PDIP politician assessed that the regulation of ecological terrorism could be included in the revision of the Forestry Law so that its regulation is integrated and does not overlap with other regulations. "This regulation must target perpetrators who deliberately burn in an organized and large-scale manner," he said, while emphasizing that the rule is not aimed at small-scale farmers or indigenous communities carrying out traditional practices.

DPR Agrees Karhutla to Be Classified as Ecological Terrorism,…
Officers extinguish forest and land fires in Kalimantan. (BNPB via InvestorTrust) (Source: investortrust.id)

Revision Already Harmonized, Just Awaiting Presidential Letter

Deputy Speaker of Commission IV of the House of Representatives (DPR) Alex Indra Lukman stated that his commission is open to the government's plan and has prepared the pathway for it. The revision of the Forestry Law is said to have been completed in Commission IV and has been harmonized at the Legislation Body (Baleg).

"We have completed the revision of the Forestry Law, the next step is the Presidential Letter," said Alex, Saturday (24/10/2026). Commission IV is now waiting for the government to discuss the revision, and the issue of ecological terrorism can be included during the deliberations.

Daniel Johan added that the DPR is ready to discuss it with the government openly and carefully so that the new regulation is truly effective in protecting forests, rather than merely adding terminology. Upstream prevention must still be carried out, from strengthening patrols, peatland restoration, to assisting farmers so they can clear land without burning.

Commission XII: Seal the Site, Mandate Nature Restoration

From Commission XII, DPR member Ateng Sutisna (PKS) urged enforcement beyond mere administrative fines. He stressed that authorities must take firm action against forest burners without compromise and require environmental restoration as the primary sanction.

"The government has the right to seal or temporarily shut down [the site] before any court ruling," Ateng said in Jakarta on Saturday (24/10/2026). According to him, sealing the location points that are the source of the fire is important to break the risk of subsequent fires while the investigation is ongoing.

Ateng argues that material fines will never be commensurate with the ecological devastation caused by fire, especially on peatland. Corporations and individuals proven guilty must absolutely bear the responsibility of rehabilitating the damaged landscape, because the biodiversity and soil microorganisms that have been destroyed are extremely difficult to restore.

Background: Prabowo's Order and Latest Forest Fire Data

The discourse on ecological terrorism began with President Prabowo Subianto's directive to the Minister of Forestry and the Minister of Environment to strengthen law enforcement against environmental destruction. Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas said the government is opening the option of revising legislation to categorize forest and land fires as ecological terrorism.

The context is the still-expanding forest and land fires. BNPB recorded 2,204 disaster events in Indonesia from January 1 to October 23, 2026, the majority of them hydrometeorological disasters. The forest and land fires currently being handled in Kalimantan cover 18,973 hectares — Central Kalimantan the largest at 16,097 hectares, followed by South Kalimantan at 1,506 hectares and West Kalimantan at 1,370 hectares — while in Sumatra they cover 2,431 hectares with South Sumatra the largest at 2,050 hectares.