Jakarta, Dec. 10 -- Civil society group Lingkar Linguistik Nusantara (Lilin Nusantara) said Wednesday the Indonesian National Police have moved quickly and substantively to investigate floods and landslides that hit several areas in Sumatra.

The group said police actions signal a shift from routine explanations about extreme weather toward law-enforcement steps addressing alleged environmental crimes linked to the disaster's severity.

Lilin Nusantara Director Mas Uliatul Hikmah said National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo's decision to lead a broad investigation marks a significant change in how the state interprets and responds to ecological emergencies.

Uliatul said her organization took note when the police chief ordered teams to...