Jakarta – Five Indonesian companies will go on trial next month for starting forest fires, the authorities announced yesterday, as a mounting haze and drought alert was sounded across South-east Asia.

The companies will be the first tried for starting fires in East Kalimantan province where nearly 400,000 hectares of forests have been destroyed in recent months.

Environment Minister Yuwono Sudarsono said the trial would start in East Kalimantan on May 8, the Republika Daily reported.

The forestry ministry said last year that 180 firms could have business permits revoked for starting fires in East Kalimantan and in Sumatra. The ministry had also said there was enough evidence to bring 23 of the 180 companies to court.