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2 Malaysians suspects in Riau forest fire case
The Riau Police have named two Malaysian citizens as suspects for their role in starting forest fires, believed to be a way of clearing land for plantations in Riau province last June
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The Riau Police have named two Malaysian citizens as suspects for their role in starting forest fires, believed to be a way of clearing land for plantations in Riau province last June.
"The two suspects hold high-ranking positions in PT API, a subsidiary of a Malaysia-based company," said Riau Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Guntur Aryo Tejo in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Thursday as quoted by Antara news agency.
"But they have not been arrested yet as we are still conducting an investigation in the case," Guntur said, adding that the suspects, who are identified with the initials TKY and DKRS, allegedly helped locals burn forested lands in Pelalawan regency to clear land for oil palm plantations.
Last June, Riau province was blanketed by thick haze due to large-scale forest fires, forcing thousands of people to move from the area. Even neighboring countries such as Singapore and Malaysia filed complaints with Indonesia as the haze from the burning forests spread into their territories.
Previously, the police named seven other companies for their alleged involvement in setting off the forest fires, namely PT JJP, PT LIH, PT BMS, PT BBHA, PT RUJ, PT SPM, and PT SRL, according to Antara.
However, no individual suspects have been named from the seven companies yet. Investigations into the case are ongoing.
