Warns About Forest And Land Fires, Jokowi: The Province Of Regional Military Commander, Regional Police Chief And Danrem Should Be Responsible

Jokowi arrived at the 2023 TNI-Polri rapid at a hotel in the Central Jakarta area, Wednesday, February 8. (Rizky A-VOI)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo emphasized that high-ranking regional security institutions are fully responsible for the forest and land fires (karhutla) that hit their areas.

This was conveyed by Jokowi considering that a number of regions in Indonesia began to enter the dry season at the end of this month.

"This forest and land fires, be careful," Jokowi said in a TNI-Polri leadership meeting for the 2023 fiscal year at a hotel in the Central Jakarta area, Wednesday 8 February.

Jokowi said a number of provinces had a high potential to be affected by this year's dry season. To stakeholders in a number of areas, Jokowi warned of forest and land fire incidents.

"Earlier I gave a warning to the provinces of Riau, North Sumatra (North Sumatra), and Kalimantan to be careful because later at the end of February or March, the heat will rise," he said.

Jokowi recalled his promise during his first term as president regarding the top TNI and Polri officials to uphold their responsibilities in any forest and land fire incidents in their area.

"I repeat again my promise 7 years ago is still valid today. If there is a big fire in the province that is the responsibility of the regional commander, regional police chief, and remote commander. Be careful, I'm just saying be careful, the promise is still valid," he said.