{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1984784,
        "msgid": "prabowo-subianto-pushes-for-forest-fires-to-be-categorised-as-ecological-terrorism-1789617163",
        "date": "2026-09-17 10:15:00",
        "title": "Prabowo Subianto Pushes for Forest Fires to be Categorised as Ecological Terrorism",
        "author": "Basuki Eka Purnama",
        "source": "MEDIA_INDONESIA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "President Prabowo Subianto has called for the reclassification of intentional forest and land clearing as 'ecological terrorism' to ensure stricter legal penalties. The President has instructed relevant ministries to review existing regulations and propose legislative amendments to the House of Representatives to strengthen sanctions.",
        "content": "<p>President Prabowo Subianto has reaffirmed the government\u2019s commitment\nto strengthening law enforcement against perpetrators of forest and land\nfires (karhutla). In his latest directive, the Head of State urged that\nintentional land burning be categorised as an extraordinary crime, or\n\u201cecological terrorism.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The statement was made by the President while presiding over a hybrid\nlimited meeting regarding the handling of various disasters at the\nMerdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday (16\/9).<\/p>\n<p>Prabowo assessed that the impacts caused by forest fires are\nextremely serious, not only damaging the national ecosystem but also\naffecting public health and international relations due to transboundary\nhaze pollution.<\/p>\n<p>To ensure maximum deterrence, the President has instructed the\nMinister of State Secretary and the Minister of Law to review\nregulations regarding sanctions for forest burners. If necessary, the\ngovernment will propose legislative revisions to the House of\nRepresentatives (DPR) to increase penalties.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am saying that the Minister of State Secretary and the Minister of\nLaw should investigate so that the legal sanctions, perhaps the laws, we\nrequest from the DPR to be strengthened, so that we categorise this as\necological terrorism. This is very serious,\u201d Prabowo stated, as quoted\non Thursday (17\/9).<\/p>\n<p>In addition to focusing on criminal sanctions, the President also\nhighlighted regulations at the regional level. He requested the Minister\nof Home Affairs to ensure that local governments revoke regional\nregulations (Perda) that still provide loopholes or permits for the\npublic to conduct land burning for any reason.<\/p>\n<p>Prabowo emphasised that reasons involving tradition or local wisdom\nshould no longer be used as justification for burning land. As a\nsolution, the government is committed to providing technical assistance\nto communities that require land clearing without the use of fire.<\/p>\n<p>The President concluded his directive by asserting that mitigation\nmust be carried out to the maximum extent. The government aims to ensure\nthat Indonesia no longer sends haze to neighbouring countries, which\ncould disrupt regional stability.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have worked maximally to mitigate these issues,\u201d he\nconcluded.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/prabowo-subianto-pushes-for-forest-fires-to-be-categorised-as-ecological-terrorism-1789617163",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}