Kalimantan Timur Forest Fires Lead to Suspension of Three Companies' Permits

Minister of Forestry and Environment (Menhut) Raja Juli Antoni has suspended the business permits of three companies in East Kalimantan (Kaltim) in connection with forest and land fires (karhutla). The total burned area within the concessions of these three companies reached 661.83 hectares, or approximately 662 hectares. The permit suspension was announced by Raja Juli after inspecting the handling of karhutla in the region of the Capital City of Nusantara (IKN) on Monday (14/9/2026). The three companies subjected to sanctions are located in Berau Regency, Kutai Timur (Kutim) Regency, and Paser Regency. "So today, I announce the suspension of business permits for three companies in East Kalimantan. In addition to the suspension of business permits, forced ecosystem or environmental restoration will be carried out, and plus, if there are indications of criminal acts, it will be forwarded by the Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Forestry and Environment and also the Regional Police," said Raja Juli on Monday (14/9/2026). The first company is PT Puji Sempurna Raharja (PSR), located in Berau Regency. This holder of a Natural Forest Utilization Business Permit (PBPH) Hutan Alam has a concession area of 14,605 hectares with a burned land area of 82.26 hectares. "So officially today, right now, I announce, in accordance with the order of President Prabowo Subianto, we will enforce the law," he emphasized. Then, PT Diva Perdana Pesona, located in Kutai Timur Regency, also had its permit suspended. This holder of a Plantation Forest Utilization Business Permit (PBPH) Hutan Tanaman has a concession area of 29,429 hectares with a burned area reaching 48.57 hectares. "And this law enforcement is not only sharp towards the bottom, towards ordinary people, but also towards corporations that are indeed obliged to take responsibility for the occurrence of karhutla in East Kalimantan," he said. Meanwhile, the largest burned area was in the concession of PT Inhutani I Tanah Grogot in Paser Regency. From a concession area of 15,336 hectares, a total of 531 hectares of its area was burned. In addition to suspending business permits, the Ministry of Forestry and Environment requires the three companies to carry out ecosystem or environmental restoration in the affected areas. The handling process will not stop at administrative sanctions if later indications of criminal acts are found. "If there are indications of criminal acts, it will be forwarded by the Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Forestry and Environment and also the Regional Police," concluded Raja Juli.