Gov’t Strengthens Forest-Fire Preparedness Through Outreach, Rapid Response, and Peatland Management

President Prabowo Subianto has instructed government officials to strengthen forest and land fire prevention in South Sumatra province.

He also called for more intensive public education and awareness campaigns, with around 1,000 personnel of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri) deployed alongside local authorities on the ground.

“The Central Government, particularly the TNI and Polri, is preparing 1,000 officers to support public outreach and education. They will work alongside all personnel and officials here. This reflects the Central Government’s commitment to addressing forest and fires, which have become a national concern. Our forests are a source of life,” the Head of State said while chairing a meeting on forest and land fire response at the Main Command Post of the South Sumatra Forest and Land Fire Task Force in Palembang city, Monday (08/24).

The President also called for immediate action at every identified hotspot to stop fires from spreading. He also emphasized that rapid verification and response are essential to controlling forest and land fires before they escalate.

“When forests burn, everyone suffers, including from respiratory illnesses and other consequences. This is a very dangerous disaster. Although conditions this year the situation appear far better than in previous years, we must remain vigilant as forecasts suggest that this year’s El Niño could be quite severe,” the President said.

Looking ahead, President Prabowo Subianto also urged his administration to turn peatland-related challenges into opportunities for more innovative solutions. He proposed expanding borewells, retention ponds, and canal blocks in productive peatland areas.

“We can turn certain challenges into opportunities. Peatlands, it turns out, are not particularly difficult to drill for water. That is why I see this as an opportunity. For prevention, perhaps BRIN (the National Research and Innovation Agency) can be involved to explore ways to continue expanding small retention ponds and canals in productive peatland areas. Could these retention ponds also be used to raise certain types of fish?” the President said.

The Head of State also encouraged BRIN to study how small retention ponds and canal blocks could be used productively, including for fish farming. The aims to improve infrastructure improvement for forest and land fires response while generating economic benefits for local communities.

“Second, as part of prevention measures, BRIN should be involved in exploring ways to expand small retention ponds and canal blocks in productive peatland areas. Could these retention ponds also be used to cultivate certain fish species? We must be creative and innovative in finding opportunities in our natural resources,” said the President.

Concluding the meeting, President Prabowo Subianto also expressed his appreciation to the South Sumatra Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) and all stakeholders involved in addressing forest and land fires. He also called for greater attention to haze and assured that the Government would continue monitoring the fire situation in South Sumatra.

“To the South Sumatra Forkopimda and all its leadership elements, thank you for your hard work in addressing the situation. However, we must continue to tackle the haze issue,” the President concluded.  (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (JAS/MEP)