Home Affairs Minister Orders Officials to Gather Communities Prone to Land Burning

Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian has asked all regional government officials as well as TNI-Polri personnel to gather communities that habitually carry out forest or land burning.

“These people should be gathered, moved slightly, and given a bluffing so that they comply. If not, firm law enforcement will be carried out, sir,” Tito said during a forest and land fire handling meeting with President Prabowo Subianto in Palembang on Monday (24/8).

He also asked regional government ranks, the police and the TNI to gather communities and provide education that burning land is not permitted.

“Territorial ranks down to the front line at the police sector level, military sub-district command, sub-district, village head, Babinsa, Bhabinkamtibmas, should really gather the communities that usually burn two hectares or those who are usually ordered to do so,” he said.

At the same time, Prabowo said the TNI/Polri would deploy around one thousand officers to carry out socialisation and education among the public.

He also asked regional government ranks to always coordinate with the central government.

Prabowo stressed that forest fires are a problem that cannot be taken lightly. Prabowo emphasised that forests are a source of life.

“If the forest burns, all the people will be affected, their breathing and so on,” he said.