What was said
Responding to haze reaching Malaysia and Singapore, the Bakom chief said in October 2026 that the forest and land fires were "beyond human error, this is truly nature."
Claimed by Syahganda Nainggolan, head of the Government Communication Agency (Bakom) · official statement · Kompas
Our verdict
Weather made this year's fires worse, but the government's own agencies treat them as caused by people. The environment ministry sealed 57 companies whose land accounted for about 34,600 hectares burned, and police named 196 individuals and 11 companies as suspects. Saying the fires were beyond human error and truly nature contradicts that record.
The facts
- 1
The Ministry of Environment said on 28 September 2026 it had sealed 57 companies in Sumatra and Kalimantan whose land accounted for about 34,600 hectares burned, 95% of it oil palm plantations.
Katadata: KLH Segel 57 Entitas Usaha Imbas Karhutla, Didominasi Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit - 2
Bareskrim said as of 28 September 2026 it was handling 245 police reports against individuals over fires, with 196 suspects named, and 96 corporate liability reports covering 25,300 hectares.
Katadata: KLH Segel 57 Entitas Usaha Imbas Karhutla, Didominasi Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit - 3
National Police chief Suyudi Ario Seto said on 21 October 2026 that 11 companies, three of them foreign-owned, had been named suspects in fire cases.
BBC News Indonesia: Polisi pastikan tiga korporasi 'modal asing' jadi tersangka karhutla - 4
SiPongi recorded 202,004.30 hectares burned from January to July 2026, up 69% on a year earlier; fires worsened in August and September amid a very strong El Nino and a long dry season.
Kompas: Luas Karhutla 2026 Melonjak, Perbaikan Tata Kelola Lahan dan Gambut Jadi Sorotan
Published fact checks
- CEK FAKTA: Bakom Sebut Karhutla di Luar Kesalahan Manusia, Murni Alam · Kompas.com Cek Fakta
People and issues
Our reporting
Checked 14 November 2026, updated 15 November 2026. A claim is quoted as it circulated; the verdict comes from the facts listed here, each linked to its source. If you spot an error or have a newer record, tell us through the contact page and we will correct it openly.
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