MPR Speaker: Government Serious in Handling Forest and Land Fires Despite Difficult Terrain

People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Ahmad Muzani believes the government is serious in handling forest and land fires (karhutla) in several regions of Indonesia. The MPR expressed concern over the karhutla situation in the country.

“Yes, if we look at the information and news about karhutla that is currently developing in Kalimantan, Sumatra, partly in Java and Papua, the conditions are indeed very concerning,” Muzani said at his residence in the Widya Chandra area, South Jakarta, on Friday (28/8/2026).

Muzani noted that the fires have spread into sensitive areas such as conservation zones. Nevertheless, he assessed that the government is serious in dealing with the fires.

“Then there is an expansion of the area, and the fires are starting to burn or enter sensitive areas such as forest areas and so on, conservation forest areas and so on,” Muzani said.

“But we also see that the government is serious in handling this, even though the terrain on the ground is certainly not easy because the area is so vast and widespread,” he added.

He said tackling forest and land fires is not easy, but the military and police personnel continue to work well. He sees a seriousness being demonstrated.

“Then the drought is so intense, and water sources are also difficult to obtain, so this is somewhat not easy. But I see the spirit of the personnel, both the TNI, Polri, and those handling the karhutla issue, is genuine,” he said.

Muzani also expressed gratitude for the performance of all parties who are working hard to tackle the forest and land fires. He said support needs to be provided until the karhutla problem in Indonesia is fully resolved.

“Therefore, we thank everyone involved in this matter. Handling this is certainly also full of risk. We ask that caution continues to be exercised and that assistance and support for them continue to be provided by the public,” Muzani said.

“The support and assistance received from the public is also, in my view, quite good in facilitating the task and the smooth handling of this issue,” he added.