Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security Monitors Forest Fires in South Kalimantan; Walhi Reveals 74% of Hotspots Located in Corporate Concessions
The Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security, General (Ret.) Djamari Chaniago, conducted a direct inspection of the Forest and Land Fire (Karhutla) conditions in the provinces of South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan on Saturday (1/8). This move follows a drastic increase in hotspots coinciding with the dry season currently affecting the region.
During his visit to the Pengayuan Forest Fire Monitoring Post in Banjarbaru, the Minister was accompanied by officials from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Basarnas, and other relevant agencies. The Pengayau area, which borders Tanah Laut Regency, is a particular concern as it is dominated by semi-peatland and is one of the worst-affected areas by the fires.
Minister Chaniago expressed optimism regarding the field response, praising the collaboration between central and local governments, the TNI, the National Police, and volunteers. “From the inspections in Central and South Kalimantan, I am optimistic that this situation can be managed. Various anticipatory measures, including aerial monitoring operations and weather modification, have been prepared,” he stated.
The Head of the South Kalimantan Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Ronny Eka Saputra, revealed that the frequency of fires has exceeded 500 incidents since the dry season began. The highest concentration of fire points is located in Banjarbaru and Tanah Laut Regency, which are considered high-priority zones due to their proximity to Syamsudin Noor International Airport.
Conversely, data from the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) presents crucial findings regarding the distribution of hotspots across Kalimantan. According to Walhi’s analysis, 25,524 hotspots, or approximately 74 per cent of the total 34,262 hotspots in Kalimantan, are located within corporate concession areas.
Walhi also detailed several companies with the highest number of hotspots within their respective concessions. In the mining sector, PT Kideco Jaya Agung recorded 1,116 hotspots, followed by PT Kaltim Prima Coal (863) and PT Antang Gunung Meratus (840). In the palm oil sector, PT Bagus Sentosa Gemilang recorded 637 hotspots, alongside findings in the lands of PT Tri H.M 1 and PT Tri H.M 2, which each recorded 573 fire points.
Responding to the situation, the Coordinating Minister emphasised that managing forest fires requires active community involvement and massive education through mass media. He urged that private interests must not hinder the disaster management process in the field to ensure the preservation of the national environment.