KUALA LUMPUR — Indonesia has imposed administrative sanctions on six forestry concession holders for the burning of more than 1,500 ha of land under their management across Kalimantan.
This follows investigations by Indonesian authorities to tackle forest and land fires which are contributing to transboundary haze.
Forestry Ministry Forestry Supervision, Administrative Sanctions and Civil Enforcement Director Ardi Risman said the action was taken against four companies — PT WEL, PT FI, PT MPK and PT WSP — operating in West Kalimantan, PT NES in Central Kalimantan and PT PSR in East Kalimantan, Bernama reports.
“The Government Coercive Measure requires the companies to fulfil the obligations that have been stipulated, ranging from improving fire-control systems to restoring affected areas within the specified timeframe,” he said according to Antara News Agency.
The business licence of one company in West Kalimantan had also been suspended because fires in its concession were extensive and recurring, while failure to comply with the required measures could result in stronger sanctions, including licence revocation, Ardi added.
Separately, Indonesia’s Environment Ministry is pursuing legal action against about 30 companies nationwide over forest and land fires this year, seeking nearly Rp15 trillion (approximately RM3.42 billion) in state-loss claims and environmental restoration costs.
In Malaysia, 30 areas across 10 states recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings this morning, as of 11am.
Serian in Sarawak posted the highest reading at 180, nearing the very unhealthy threshold.
According to the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal, Selangor was the most affected state, with six areas registering API readings above 100, including Johan Setia at 175.
Other areas in the state with unhealthy air quality readings were Shah Alam (162), Kuala Selangor (155), Klang (153), Petaling Jaya (152) and Banting (151).
Closer to Kalimantan, Sarawak recorded unhealthy API readings in five areas, namely Serian District Police Headquarters (IPD) at 180, Sri Aman (170), Kuching (163), Samarahan (156) and Sarikei (152).
An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and readings above 300 hazardous.
Satellite monitoring by Indonesian authorities as of 9pm on Monday detected 341 high-confidence hotspots across four Kalimantan provinces, comprising 129 in West Kalimantan, 107 in East Kalimantan, 85 in Central Kalimantan and 20 in South Kalimantan.
Another 641 medium-confidence hotspots it said were recorded across West, Central and South Kalimantan, with West Kalimantan accounting for 315, Central Kalimantan 219 and South Kalimantan 107.
Indonesian authorities have also authorised deployment of 36 foreign-registered helicopters and the issuing of 35 special permits to 11 domestic air operators for aerial firefighting to contain the fires. – August 25, 2026