OKU Timur Police Intensify Forest and Land Fire Prevention Across 116 Hotspots

In an effort to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla), the OKU Timur Police have moved swiftly to tighten preventive measures within their jurisdiction. A total of 116 vulnerable locations spread across several sub-districts were immediately swept by police personnel.

The priority prevention areas include the sub-districts of Madang Suku I, Belitang II, Martapura, Buay Madang, Madang Suku II, and Semendawai Suku III.

OKU Timur Police Chief AKBP Lalu Hedwin Hanggara stressed that all preventive activities carried out by his personnel reflect a commitment to implementing the instructions of the South Sumatra Regional Police leadership on the ground.

“The forest and land fire prevention activities that we are carrying out intensively at these 116 points are a direct follow-up to the instruction from the South Sumatra Police Chief, Inspector General Sandi Nugroho, for all ranks to strengthen mitigation, intensify education, and conduct maximum preventive patrols,” said AKBP Lalu Hedwin in his statement on Wednesday (19/8/2026).

“We at the OKU Timur Police are ready to ensure the region remains safe from the threat of forest and land fires,” he asserted.

He added that in its implementation on the ground, the OKU Timur Police are working in synergy with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Fire-Aware Communities (MPA), and other stakeholders through integrated patrols.

In addition to joint patrols, prevention efforts are being reinforced through public awareness campaigns and direct appeals to residents, the installation of banners in vulnerable areas, and law enforcement against anyone who deliberately burns land.

“Alhamdulillah, thanks to the rapid response and solid cross-agency coordination, conditions across all target areas are being monitored as conducive. The situation on the ground is currently safe, with zero fire or smoke points recorded,” he said.