JAKARTA, Oct 22 - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has said that the government will revoke the business licences of foreign-owned companies found to have repeatedly violated regulations and contributed to forest and land fires.
Xinhua reported that he said the authorities are investigating companies suspected of violating land management and fire prevention regulations, with preliminary findings indicating repeated violations by some firms.
One company was suspected of being involved in as many as 19 forest fire cases.
"Whoever violates the rules, just revoke their licences! I have no hesitation," Prabowo said today.
The President added that some of the companies under investigation are foreign-owned and that the government will disclose their names in due course.
He emphasised that companies operating in Indonesia must be held accountable for environmental damage regardless of their country of origin.
Prabowo also called for tighter oversight of natural resource management to ensure that forests and plantations are managed responsibly and benefit local communities.
