Central Kalimantan Governor Offers Rp5 Million Reward for Reporting Forest Burners
Central Kalimantan Governor Agustiar Sabran has prepared a Rp5 million reward for members of the public who provide accurate information about perpetrators of land burning in East Kotawaringin Regency.
Agustiar guaranteed the confidentiality of informants’ identities if they report those responsible for forest and land fires.
“If anyone obtains such information, we will provide Rp5 million in assistance and there is no need to worry because their identity will be kept confidential. But it must be genuine — do not fabricate or slander,” Agustiar Sabran said in a statement received in Palangka Raya on Saturday (29/8), as quoted by Antara.
He made the remarks during a working visit to East Kotawaringin with members of the Central Kalimantan Regional Leadership Coordination Forum on Friday (28/8), including Commander of Military Regional Command XII/Tambun Bungai Major General Zainul Arifin and Central Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Iwan Kurniawan.
Agustiar said the visit was part of efforts to strengthen synergy between the provincial and district governments in facing this year’s dry season, which is considered particularly severe.
“We need to strengthen synergy between the province and the districts so that these fires do not spread. We cannot work separately; we must act together, as a united team,” he said.
He also reminded the public not to burn indiscriminately, including when clearing yards or opening land, because the current dry conditions increase the potential for forest and land fires.
According to him, this year’s dry season differs from those of previous years. The strong El Niño phenomenon has further increased the risk of fires, making it necessary for all elements of society to be involved in prevention efforts.
Agustiar also highlighted suspicions that certain individuals have deliberately set fires. This, he said, is one of the reasons why public participation in providing information to authorities and the government is so important.
He cited a case in Pulang Pisau Regency, where officers detained two people suspected of involvement in fires at 12 locations. The situation suggests the possibility that certain parties deliberately coordinated burning at multiple sites.
“The police chief recently arrested two people in Pulang Pisau at 12 locations, meaning there are suspected parties deliberately coordinating this. So, if there is accurate information, report it to us. There is no need to be afraid; your identity will be kept confidential,” he said.
Regarding the reward, Agustiar stressed that it is not intended to encourage people to accuse one another, but rather as a form of appreciation for information that can genuinely assist in handling forest and land fires.
He therefore asked the public to ensure that any information they provide is true and accountable, so that it does not develop into slander amid a fire situation that requires cooperation from all parties.
Agustiar also asked the East Kotawaringin Regent to strengthen coordination with the district military command, district police and all relevant elements so that forest and land fire management can be carried out in an integrated manner.