Palm Oil Entrepreneur Invites All Stakeholders To Prevent Forest And Land Fires

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Palm Oil Entrepreneurs Association (Gapki) invites all industry stakeholders to consolidate jointly to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla), especially in the face of the upcoming dry season.

Secretary General of Gapki M Hadi Sugeng stated that the prevention and handling of forest and land fires does require the cooperation of many parties, and currently 752 companies that are members of Gapki have set standards in handling forest and land fires.

"Although not all palm oil companies are members of Gapki, we still embrace all stakeholders of this industry so that they are together in preventing forest and land fires," said Hadi Sugeng quoting Antara.

He stated that Gapki had taken precautions against forest and landscape-based companies by involving palm oil companies, government agencies, and agencies related to and involving the Fire Concerned Society (MPA).

In addition to socialization, he said again, responding to the wishes of the Ministry of Environment (KLH), Gapki member companies also standardize human resources through training and certification.

Other forest and land fires prevention, namely by making weather modifications and making appeals and standards for complete facilities and infrastructure in the prevention and handling of forest and land fires.

In addition, forest and land fires prevention includes mapping hotspot-prone areas and ensuring the availability of water sources in the area. Palm oil companies have also utilized drone technology with a flying range of more than 30 kilometers.

"Parana and infrastructure that are always available with good and well-maintained conditions are owned by Gapki member companies throughout Indonesia, as well as compliance with regulations," said Hadi Sugeng.

Previously, the Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq appealed to palm oil industry players to coordinate with each other and consolidate with Gapki in the face of the 2025 dry season in order to anticipate the emergence of hotspots in fire-prone areas.

"We urge palm oil companies to join Gapki to facilitate the handling of land fires. Prevention and handling of forest and land fires must be well organized," he said during the Consolidation of Preparedness of Land Fire Control Personnel and Equipment in Riau Province.

Regarding Gapki's preparedness in facing the 2025 dry season, the Minister of Environment hopes that this readiness can be applied in all locations.