KSP Ensures Swift and Integrated Handling of 2026 Forest and Land Fires

The Presidential Staff Office (KSP) is ensuring readiness for handling forest and land fires (karhutla) proceeds swiftly, in an integrated manner, and measurably through the reactivation of a cross-sectoral coordination desk in Palembang, South Sumatra. “The reactivation of the coordination desk is carried out to ensure that all elements of the central government, local government, security apparatus, technical institutions, the business world, and society move under one command,” said Deputy Chief of the Presidential Staff, General TNI (Ret.) Dudung Abdurachman, in a written statement quoted in Jakarta on Wednesday. Dudung, who inaugurated the reactivation alongside Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs General TNI (Ret.) Djamari Chaniago, explained that this step is part of strengthening national preparedness to face the potential for karhutla during the 2026 dry season. The main focus of this coordination is to align the movements of all stakeholders so as not to work in a partial manner. South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru, as the host, also expressed the local government’s readiness to support the security of the region from fire threats. Synergy between the central and local levels is the main key in minimising hotspots in vulnerable areas. Through this coordination desk, KSP will continue to monitor the implementation of karhutla preparedness in the field as part of support for the President in controlling priority programmes. This monitoring aims to ensure that every strategic policy is carried out well down to the grassroots level. Any obstacles found in the field will later be coordinated again with relevant ministries and institutions. This effort is carried out so that the government’s response remains quick in providing protection to the public from the impacts of smoke. This preventive step aims to suppress the risks of social, economic, and environmental losses that usually arise due to forest fires. The government is committed to maintaining ecological stability while securing the economic activities of residents around forest areas.