Orang Utan 'Sempurna' Dies, Legislator: West Kalimantan Forest Fires Intolerable
An orangutan named Sempurna has died due to the impact of smoke from forest and land fires (karhutla) in Ketapang, West Kalimantan. A member of Commission IV of the DPR and Chairman of the PKB Central Executive Board, Daniel Johan, stated that this situation serves as a severe warning that can no longer be tolerated.
“We are all mourning and deeply concerned by the death of the orangutan, who had previously fainted due to exposure to smoke from forest fires in West Kalimantan. This is not merely the loss of a single protected individual; it is a loud alarm that the West Kalimantan forest fire crisis has reached a point that is no longer tolerable,” Daniel Johan told reporters on Friday (4/9/2026).
He noted that the impact of the forest fires is felt not only by humans and orangutans. According to him, numerous other animals are also affected, demonstrating the extensive ecological damage caused by the fires.
“The current condition in West Kalimantan is very concerning. The air quality is already dangerous to breathe, not only for wildlife but for the community members who must breathe amidst the surrounding smoke every day,” he said.
Nevertheless, Daniel also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Indonesian IAR Foundation (YIARI) and the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) in handling and evacuating animals affected by the fires.
“I also appreciate the struggle of the community members who have stepped in to extinguish the flames with limited equipment, such as ‘The Power of Mama’ in Ketapang Regency. Despite being mostly women, these civilian fighters on the front lines deserve support with adequate infrastructure, as they are risking their lives to ensure the fires are extinguished,” he stated.
He believes that the extraordinary conditions caused by the forest fires must be met with extra efforts. Firefighting, he argued, cannot rely solely on land routes when conditions in West Kalimantan continue to worsen.
“The state must immediately declare this forest fire situation as a national disaster. It is already late; we should not wait for the death toll to increase before making a decision,” he said.
The PKB politician also requested that President Prabowo Subianto consider granting national disaster status, particularly for the affected areas in West Kalimantan.
“We appeal to the President to prioritise the safety and health of the people, especially in severe areas like West Kalimantan, above all other considerations, and to immediately take extraordinary steps to end this crisis,” he added.
Previously, the Ministry of Forestry confirmed the death of the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) named Sempurna. Sempurna was previously found unconscious due to respiratory distress, suspected to be caused by exposure to smoke from forest and land fires in Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan.
As reported by Antara, the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) official, Murlan Dameria Pane, expressed condolences over Sempurna’s death.
“We deeply regret that Sempurna could not be saved. Upon receiving reports from the community, the West Kalimantan BKSDA team, alongside YIARI, immediately conducted an evacuation and provided medical treatment according to the animal’s condition. Further examinations are being conducted to determine the health status and the factors suspected to have contributed to its death,” said Murlan on Thursday (3/9/2026).
He explained that Sempurna was found in a very weak condition, suffering from respiratory issues, in Sempurna Hamlet, Kuala Satong Village, North Matan Hilir District, Ketapang Regency.