Indonesia has ordered four companies to suspend operations for causing forest fires which have sent smoke across a swathe of South-East Asia, an Environment Ministry official said.

“These suspensions will be in effect until the criminal proceedings undertaken by the police are finished,” said Environment Ministry secretary-general Bambang Hendroyono today.

Three plantation companies have had their permits frozen and one forestry company has had its licence revoked, he added.

PT Langgam Inti Hibrindo, which is owned by PT Provident Agro was among the companies affected.

Thick smoke caused by forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan islands has blanketed the region in recent weeks, pushing pollution levels to unhealthy levels.

- Reuters