Jakarta. Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat said his ministry has sealed 21 companies suspected of being linked to forest and land fires across seven provinces, with more firms potentially facing action as investigations continue.

Jumhur said authorities suspected the companies of deliberately setting fires during the El Niño-driven dry conditions, contributing to widespread forest and land fires.

“We have just sealed 21 business entities in seven provinces. That is the cumulative figure as of Sept. 2,” Jumhur told reporters at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Most of the companies are located in Kalimantan, including seven in West Kalimantan, four in South Kalimantan, three in Central Kalimantan and one in East Kalimantan. The remaining companies are located in South Sumatra, Lampung and Riau.

Jumhur said the number could rise as the Environment Ministry continues to verify companies suspected of being linked to the fires.

“It could increase. We have only reached 21 so far, and we need to be careful because this requires field verification,” he said.

Satellite data overlaid with company concession data had identified 335 companies with indications of hotspots, although the cases still require on-the-ground verification, he added.

The 21 companies will undergo further clarification, during which they are prohibited from operating.

“Sealing is different from imposing sanctions. A company under sanctions can still operate, but once it is sealed, it must suspend operations while providing clarification until the next steps can be determined,” Jumhur said.

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