Indonesia to halt operations at 12 firms over smog"We will soon order 12 plantation firms in North Sumatra and Riau to halt operations because they are believed to be using fires to clear land," Suripto, secretary-general at the Forestry and Plantations Ministry, told reporters.Suripto refused to name the firms from the provinces of North Sumatra and Riau, but said most were palm oil plantations. It appeared they would not actually be closed down.
"We will further investigate the allegations. If the firms are guilty they will be punished under a forestry law," he added.
Recent fires - many illegally started to clear land - on Sumatra island have sent smog over parts of neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore, and reached as far as southern Thailand.
Although the pollution has largely cleared, it revived memories of the 1997 crisis when smog blanketed large parts of the region for weeks.
Using fire to clear land carries a maximum prison term of five years and a fine of up to five billion rupiah ($562,000), Suripto said.
Earlier this year, Jakarta threatened plantation owners with up to 15 years in jail for illegally using fires to clear land.
It was unclear if any had faced prosecution.
Despite expressing concern about the recent smog, Southeast Asian countries have proved ineffective in getting Jakarta to deal with the issue, partly out of fear of offending Indonesia.
On Monday, members of the 10-nation Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) noted progress in implementing a regional action plan for combating the effects of the fires, but announced no concrete action.