Prabowo Wants The Impact Of Forest And Land Fires To Disrupt Cross-State

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto paid serious attention to the threat of forest and land fires (karhutla) ahead of the 2025 dry season, especially its impact on Indonesia's environment, health, and Indonesia's reputation in the eyes of the world due to cross-border smoke.

This was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam) Indonesia Budi Gunawan while leading the National Preparedness Apple for Handling Forest and Land Fires in Pekanbaru, Ria, Tuesday, April 29.

"The president emphasized the importance of maintaining the achievement of forest fire control which not only has an impact on the environment, health, but also on the geopolitics of the region due to cross-border smoke," said Budi Gunawan as quoted by ANTARA.

Therefore, said Budi, the government has formed a Coordination Decree for Handling Karhutla led by a number of institutional leaders and strategic ministries to ensure that handling is carried out in one cross-sectoral integrated command.

Desk Karhutla, which was formed on March 13, 2025, is under the coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs and involves the Head of BNPB, the TNI Commander, the National Police Chief, the Minister of Forestry, and the Minister of Environment.

He said the collaboration between the government, the private sector, and the community was very much needed in handling forest and land fires cases. The central and regional governments must coordinate intensively for mitigation and prevention measures.

According to Budi Gunawan, the role of the company as a forest, plantation and mining concession holder is also very important, especially by complying with and carrying out its obligations in monitoring and prevention.

To all elements of society caring for fire, disaster-resilient urban villages, Taruna Siaga Disaster, PMI, students, scouters, and farmer groups, it is also advised to continue to actively participate in reporting hotspots.

Law enforcement will also be carried out firmly against violations that cause fires.

This step was taken following the BMKG warning that the dry season will take place from April to September 2025, and NASA's Terra Aqua satellite data which recorded 144 hotspots and 97 forest and land fires events until April 17, 2025.

Riau became one of the areas heavily affected, with 80 hectares of land reported to have caught fire. In addition, forest and land fires were also detected in Aceh, Riau Islands, Jambi, West Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan.

The President and all Indonesian people have high hopes for all elements in the field. Let's protect our forests, protect the people, and keep the good name of the nation in the eyes of the world," said Budi Gunawan.