Forestry Minister assures firm action against nature destroyers

“Yes, I heard earlier from the Regional Police Chief that there are already 12 suspects. So whoever it is, big or small, without discrimination, who destroys nature or destroys forests, we will take firm action,” said Raja Juli in Palangka Raya on Wednesday.

The statement was made while the Forestry Minister was reviewing the handling of forest and land fires in the Petuk Katimpun area of Palangka Raya City, together with Central Kalimantan Governor Agustiar Sabran and other officials.

The Central Kalimantan Regional Police had previously stressed that the handling of forest and land fires is carried out not only through firefighting efforts, but also through law enforcement against parties suspected of causing the fires.

He also expressed appreciation for the role of volunteers and the participation of the Central Kalimantan community in tackling forest and land fires.

“Because even though there are the TNI, Polri, Manggala Agni, BPBD and others, without community participation in tackling these forest and land fires, it certainly cannot be resolved,” he said.

“At the same time, on this occasion I would like to remind everyone again not to play with fire. The conditions are very bad, the weather is very bad, and BMKG has predicted that El Niño will be very strong in 2026,” he said.

Based on data from the Central Kalimantan Forest and Land Fire Emergency Response Command Post as of 18 August 2026, 1,464 forest and land fire incidents have been recorded since January, with a total burned area reaching 3,896.43 hectares.

After reviewing the Petuk Katimpun area, Raja Juli, together with the Governor of Central Kalimantan and other officials, continued to review the handling of forest and land fires in the Tumbang Nusa area of Pulang Pisau Regency.