Jakarta (Indonesia), 23 Aug. (LaPresse/AP) – Indonesian authorities have arrested 72 people suspected of starting fires in forests and agricultural land across five provinces in Borneo and four in Sumatra. Investigators are also looking into possible funding from companies interested in clearing land for plantations. The fires, fuelled by the prolonged dry season, have caused a thick blanket of smoke across several regions of Indonesia. The authorities have stepped up their response, with 52 helicopters deployed to drop water, carry out patrols and conduct cloud-seeding operations. The smoke has also reached Malaysia, particularly Sarawak, where air quality has deteriorated to such an extent that nearly 600 schools have been forced to close, affecting around 200,000 pupils. Those responsible face prison sentences of up to 15 years.
Indonesia: 72 suspected arsonists arrested for starting forest fires
Jakarta (Indonesia), 23 Aug. (LaPresse/AP) – Indonesian authorities have arrested 72 people suspected of starting fires in forests and agricultural land across five provinces in Borneo and four in Sumatra. Investigators are also looking into possible funding from companies interested in clearing land for plantations. The fires, fuelled by the prolonged dry season, have caused a thick blanket of smoke across several regions of Indonesia. The authorities have stepped up their response, with 52 helicopters deployed to drop water, carry out patrols and conduct cloud-seeding operations. The smoke has also reached Malaysia, particularly Sarawak, where air quality has deteriorated to such an extent that nearly 600 schools have been forced to close, affecting around 200,000 pupils. Those responsible face prison sentences of up to 15 years.