JAKARTA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian government stressed on Tuesday that it will not tolerate burning forest and agriculture lands as it is classified as a crime.
President Joko Widodo disclosed that the government continuously carries out the efforts to prevent and douse forest fires, and undertake conservation on peat land area along with the efforts to construct a massive infrastructure project across the nation.
"The government has no tolerance for the perpetrators of forest fires, as such act is a crime against humanity," President Widodo said at his annual speech at parliament ahead of the anniversary of Indonesian Independence Day on Aug. 17.
Scores of officials and firms have been punished or undergone legal process for allegedly involving in forest and agriculture fires in the vast archipelago country.
Forest fires occur every year in Indonesia, causing heath problems and a huge financial loss in the region.
The fires were mainly caused by the traditional annual slash-and-burn practice for opening new palm oil plantation in Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil industry.
Last year, Indonesia launched the biggest ever battle against forest fires across the country that killed 17 people, with over 22,000 soldiers and dozens of aircraft under international assistance.
