A LEADING Indonesian environmental group and legal aid foundation yesterday mounted a class action against 10 plantations for 60 billion rupiah (RM22 million) for burning tens of thousands of hectares which set off poisonous fumes in the province of Riau.

One of them is believed to be a subsidiary of a Malaysian company.

"We have launched this class action against the 10 companies for causing the smoke in the province of Riau for the period of January to March," Hendrisya, a lawyer for the Legal Aid Foundation Pekan Baru, told the New Straits Times.

Pekan Baru is the provincial capital of Riau. The suit was filed at a Pekan Baru Court.

He said thousands of hotspots were found on the plantations of these companies.

Plantations in Riau are known to conduct open burning to clear their land as it is the cheapest method available, sending noxious fumes over to Malaysia.

Hendrisyah said the problem could not be ignored as the fires have brought environmental destruction and even caused human fatalities.

In February 2005, a six-year-old child died from breathing difficulties.

In August, another six-year-old child was killed when he was trapped in the burning peat fires.

The Indonesian Forum for Environment (WALHI) said that the 10 plantations were found to have fires on their land almost every year.

WALHI Riau’s deputy director, M. Teguh Surya, said there were three companies which had made a commitment to prevent fires from occurring.

"But in reality, we found that their land has been burning (every year) since 2003 in Riau," said Teguh.

"This class action is hoped to become an inspiration and give strength to the Government so that they will have the courage to take firm action against plantations practising open burning and not hesitate in upholding the law," said Teguh.