President Jokowi: 99 Percent Of Land And Forest Fires Occur Due To Human Activity

President Joko Widodo (Photo: Indonesian Cabinet Secretariat)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that the forest and land fires (karhutla) that occurred in a number of areas in the country were caused by humans. This arson, he said, was also often carried out with economic motives.

"99 percent of forest and land fires are man-made, whether intentional or unintentional because of negligence, and the main motive is always one, the economy. Because I know that clearing the land by burning is the cheapest way," said President Jokowi when giving directions at the National Coordinating Meeting for Control of Forest/Land Fire at the State Palace which is broadcasted on the YouTube account of the Presidential Secretariat, Monday, February 22.

With this condition, the former Governor of DKI Jakarta then asked his staff to find a permanent solution in an effort to prevent and handle forest and land fires. Mainly for the future.

In addition, he also asked regional heads and local government officials to provide education starting from the public until the corporate side. So that, in the future, they do not use burning methods to clear land.

"Starting to educate the public, to companies and corporations. It must be reorganized, finding solutions so that corporations and communities clear the land not by burning," said Jokowi.

Furthermore, he also advised his staff, especially those dealing with forest and land fires. Jokowi asked not to be late in handling this fire.

"Don't let the fire get bigger, don't be late so that it is difficult to control. This is important," he said.

He said that the alertness and responsiveness of the local government were considered important to tackle forest fires before they grew bigger and became difficult to control.

"Actually, just a quick response, a small fire should be flushed totally, then water bombing if it's needed. This has been done often but if possible, don't. Small fire flushed totally because water bombing requires a large budget but when it's already late, want it or not, we will use it," he concluded.