Forest Fire Coordination Meeting: Prabowo Urges West Kalimantan to Remain a Priority

President Prabowo Subianto has asked that the handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) in West Kalimantan remain a primary concern, even though the coordination meeting took place in Riau. The government has been urged not to let its concentration waver, as conditions in West Kalimantan are considered more severe.

The directive was conveyed by Prabowo to the TNI Commander during a coordination meeting on forest fire management at the Riau Province Forward Post in Pekanbaru on Monday (24/8).

“Okay, TNI Commander, please pay attention to West Kalimantan, it is more severe there. So focus on West Kalimantan, and I also ask for attention to be given to Lampung,” said Prabowo.

During the meeting, the TNI Commander reported that three battalions previously assigned to assist with forest fire handling in Kalimantan had shifted to support operations. In addition, around 1,000 extension workers from the central government have begun moving to Riau and Kalimantan.

Air support has also been strengthened with the transfer of CN aircraft to Riau. Meanwhile, a team with fast-roping capability has been prepared alongside helicopters to support personnel deployment in terrain requiring special access.

However, Prabowo stressed that attention to West Kalimantan must not diminish. According to him, the region requires its own focus because forest fire conditions there are more severe compared to several other areas.

The President also extended his attention to Lampung, particularly the Way Kambas National Park area. The conservation area has become a concern following reports of hotspots emerging.

“Way Kambas National Park is also our focus. I received a report that there are hotspots there. That is our conservation park for elephants and so on; the last elephants in Sumatra must be properly cared for,” said Prabowo.