JAKARTA, Oct 23 - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has vowed to revoke the business licences of foreign-owned companies found to have repeatedly violated regulations and contributed to forest and land fires in the country.
He said authorities were investigating several companies suspected of breaching land management and fire prevention regulations, with preliminary findings indicating repeated violations by some firms.
According to Prabowo, one company is also suspected of being involved in about 19 forest fire incidents.
“Anyone who violates the regulations, just revoke their licence! I will not hesitate,” he said, adding that the government would disclose the names of the companies involved at an appropriate time.
Prabowo stressed that all companies operating in Indonesia must be held accountable for environmental damage, regardless of their country of origin.
He also called for stricter oversight of natural resource management to ensure that forests and plantations are managed responsibly and benefit local communities.
