Environment Minister Tightens Law Enforcement on Land and Forest Fire Cases

Pontianak (ANTARA) - Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq has emphasised that the government will tighten law enforcement against land and forest fires (karhutla) by involving several corporations in environmental dispute processes in West Kalimantan. “As of today, there are seven corporations in West Kalimantan that are undergoing processes in environmental disputes. One of them has already entered the trial stage,” Hanif said during a doorstop session following the Karhutla Preparedness Roll Call in Pontianak on Thursday. Hanif revealed that there are currently seven companies in West Kalimantan undergoing environmental dispute processes, with one case among them having reached the trial stage. According to him, all business actors are obliged to take full responsibility for the management and supervision of their concession areas, especially during the dry season when fires are prone to occur. “All business entities that hold concessions are obliged to strictly guard their concession areas, especially during dry seasons like this,” he stated. Hanif added that law enforcement is an important part of the overall karhutla control strategy, in addition to prevention and firefighting efforts that continue to be strengthened by the government together with various parties. Meanwhile, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni stated that the trend of karhutla in recent years has shown a decline, in line with increased cross-sector coordination. Nevertheless, he urged local governments to immediately declare a karhutla emergency alert status so that central government support, including weather modification operations and budgets, can be mobilised promptly. “The state budget has no limits, once again no limits for tackling karhutla,” he said. The government hopes that tightening law enforcement against corporations can provide a deterrent effect while reducing the risk of karhutla that impacts the environment, public health, and the regional economy.