JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam) Djamari Chaniago asked that 12 areas in South Sumatra (Sumsel) which are classified as prone to forest and land fires (karhutla) must be a priority for handling.
"Based on the BPBD mapping, there are 12 fire-prone areas in 2026. These areas must be a priority for patrol, prevention, and deployment of resources and equipment," said Djamari during the 2026 fire alert appeal, in Palembang, Wednesday, May 6, reported by ANTARA.
He explained that these areas include Ogan Ilir, Banyuasin, Musi Banyuasin, Muara Enim, Lahat, OKU Timur, Musi Rawas, Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir (PALI), North Musi Rawas (Muratara), OKU, OKI, and South OKU.
The area not only has peat land that is easily flammable, but also dry mineral soils and plantation areas that are prone to fires during the dry season.
Therefore, he asked the local government together with the regional leadership coordination forum (forkopimda) to make the handling of karhutla a priority ahead of the dry season.
"Make sure all regional units understand their duties, the standby post is running, equipment is available, and water sources are mapped so that the blackout can be carried out quickly," he explained.
In addition, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs also reminded the 19 governors who attended the alert appeal virtually to strengthen the control of forest fires in their respective regions, considering that handling forest fires is a national agenda that requires simultaneous readiness.
"If you find land clearing by burning, immediately report it. There should be no allowance, because one point of fire can develop into a large fire, especially during the dry season," he said.
Djamari also asked the business world, including holders of concessions for forestry, plantations, and mining, to actively participate in efforts to prevent forest fires in their respective work areas.
Based on data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, most of Indonesia will enter the dry season in the period April to June 2026.
For the South Sumatra region, drought is predicted to occur earlier, starting in early May, with its peak in August 2026.
"This means that there is still time to prepare for the peak of the drought, but we must move earlier," he said.
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