Eddy Soeparno Highlights Central Kalimantan Forest Fires, Demands Strict Action Against Perpetrators
Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly from the National Mandate Party faction, Eddy Soeparno, has highlighted the forest and land fire conditions in Central Kalimantan. The series of disasters is considered to be worsening and has begun to disrupt crucial public activities, including flight routes.
According to Eddy, the series of disasters shows that the forest management system can no longer rely solely on reactive firefighting measures when incidents occur. He fully supports efforts to strengthen law enforcement against all perpetrators of forest and land burning.
Legal action must be applied fairly to both individuals and corporations if they are proven to have met the elements of a violation. The forest fire prevention strategy will not be effective if perpetrators still have room to carry out burning without legal consequences.
“There must be no impunity in the matter of forest and land fires. If there are parties who deliberately burn or are negligent in managing their land so that it causes fires, there must be clear accountability. Law enforcement must be a major part of the prevention strategy,” Eddy stressed in his statement on Friday (21/8/2026).
After law enforcement is strengthened, Indonesia is considered to be in great need of an economic approach so that forest protection can take place sustainably. One important instrument that must be strengthened is the ecosystem for managing forest carbon sequestration.
Well-preserved forests are believed to have high economic value through their ability to absorb and store carbon. Communities and regional government officials are entitled to receive direct benefits from their success in maintaining green land cover.
“Forests store carbon that can have economic value. If the carbon value can be managed credibly, protecting forests will become an economic activity that provides real benefits,” he said.
According to Eddy, the carbon economy scheme must be designed in such a way that its benefits are distributed evenly and do not stop only with the government or concession holders. The profits absolutely must be enjoyed by surrounding communities whose lives depend on forest preservation.
“Communities must receive direct benefits from the forests they protect. The better the forest is maintained, the greater the potential value of carbon and environmental services. Thus, protecting forests becomes a rational economic choice compared to clearing or burning forests,” he stressed.
Forest fire handling still requires patrol processes, early warning systems, peatland management, and rapid firefighting. However, all of these instruments must be placed within a long-term strategy of safeguarding the economic value of forests.
Eddy also specifically encouraged the central government to be willing to provide rewards for regions that excel. Areas that successfully maintain their forest cover and succeed in reducing emissions should receive fiscal incentives.
“Do not only give targets to regions to protect forests. Also provide incentives for their success. Regions that are able to reduce deforestation and forest fires and maintain carbon stocks must receive greater economic benefits,” Eddy concluded.