Deputy Home Minister Wiyagus Stresses Cross-Regional Synergy as Key to Forest Fire Control Ahead of 2026–2027 El Niño
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Akhmad Wiyagus has stressed the importance of strengthening synergy between regions in controlling forest and land fires (karhutla) to face the potential El Niño phenomenon in 2026–2027. He stated that handling karhutla must be carried out in an integrated manner because its impacts often transcend regional administrative boundaries.
“We cannot work alone, we cannot have sectoral egos, nor can we think that this is not my territory,” Wiyagus said during the 2026 Special Coordination Meeting on Forest and Land Fire Control, themed “Synergising for the Nation to Face El Niño 2026 and 2027,” at the Manggala Wanabakti Building in Jakarta on Thursday, 16 June 2026.
According to him, regional governments (Pemda) need to strengthen coordination in the prevention and handling of karhutla. Therefore, the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) continues to encourage the utilisation of regional cooperation schemes to strengthen responses to cross-regional disasters.
Wiyagus explained that Kemendagri has facilitated the strengthening of such cooperation through various regulations, including Government Regulation Number 28 of 2018 on Regional Cooperation and Minister of Home Affairs Regulation Number 22 of 2020. These regulations provide room for regions to collaborate in facing emergency conditions, including karhutla.
“Where cooperation can be implemented to address emergency conditions and support national strategic programmes, even if not previously listed in regional development planning,” he stated.
On another note, Wiyagus appreciated the synergy between regional governments and stakeholders that has been built in controlling karhutla. This step aligns with Presidential Instruction Number 3 of 2020 on Forest and Land Fire Management.
To strengthen these efforts, Kemendagri is pushing for the integration of regional planning and budgeting, as well as enhancing the capacity of apparatus, from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Fire and Rescue Service, the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), to village and sub-district officials, so they are better prepared to face the threat of karhutla.
Wiyagus also reminded of the importance of continuous education and public awareness campaigns to increase community awareness in preventing karhutla. In addition, regional governments need to strengthen institutions, empower communities, develop independent fire-free villages, and optimise facilities, infrastructure, and funding to improve preparedness for the upcoming dry season.