Indonesia cracks down on firms behind forest fire smog

The Indonesian government has punished 23 companies for causing forest fires that spread thick, smoky haze around Southeast Asia, an official said yesterday.

Brotestes Panjaitan, the forestry ministry’s investigations director, said 33 more companies are under scrutiny and waiting for decisions on possible punishment.

Forestry minister Siti Nurbaya announced on Monday that a total of 56 companies were involved in the land-clearing activities that led to the fires.