DPR: Forest and Land Fires Could Adversely Affect Food Supply

Member of Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Yuliansyah has reminded the government to be alert to the impact of prolonged drought and forest and land fires (karhutla) on the availability of public necessities, particularly in West Kalimantan. He stressed that drought not only damages the environment but also has the potential to disrupt the stability of staple food supplies, which could trigger a food crisis.

Yuliansyah assessed that this condition requires serious attention from both central and regional governments. According to him, if water availability and staple goods supply are not anticipated early, it will trigger more severe economic problems for residents.

“Later the water will be difficult, the BPN will not be there, this will have an impact on West Kalimantan,” said Yuliansyah in a press release received on Tuesday (25/8/2026).

The legislator from the West Kalimantan I electoral district emphasised the importance of ensuring that the distribution of public necessities continues to run smoothly amid extreme weather. Disruptions to the supply chain are feared to trigger price increases that will ultimately burden people’s purchasing power.

“This will have an impact again on the BPN issue. It will affect prices for the public again,” he added.

Therefore, Yuliansyah urged collaboration between the central government, regional governments, and other relevant parties to prepare mitigation measures. The main focus must be directed at clean water availability and food security so that the prolonged drought does not widen into an economic crisis.

“For that reason, it needs to be a special concern of the central government and regional governments as well as parties who can work together on how to overcome the drought and the impact at the estuary,” he concluded.