Prabowo Asks Riau Military and Police Chiefs Be Promoted
President Prabowo Subianto has asked that the Riau military commander (Pangdam) and police chief (Kapolda) be given the opportunity for promotion as a form of appreciation for their hard work in handling forest and land fires (karhutla) in Riau.
The request was conveyed by Prabowo while chairing a coordination meeting on forest and land fire management at the Riau Province Forward Command Post in Pekanbaru on Monday (24/8). During the meeting, Prabowo first asked about the length of service of the Riau military commander and police chief before delivering his instructions. “Try to find positions so they can be promoted. Finish first, if 900 (hectares) are clear. We must now respect hard work,” said Prabowo.
The Riau military commander told the President that he had served for one year. Meanwhile, the Riau police chief said he had held his position for 17 months.
The instruction was delivered after Prabowo received a report on the progress of forest and land fire handling in Riau. Of the total 16,277.50 hectares of land burned from January to August 2026, the area still burning now stands at around 900 hectares.
The President assessed that this achievement demonstrated the hard work of personnel on the ground. Previously, he also expressed appreciation to the regional government, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and the ministries and agencies involved in handling forest and land fires.
“So from 16,000 hectares that burned, now only 900 remain. From January to August, right? I think that is quite good. Thank you. Thank you for the handling in Riau,” said Prabowo.
Based on a report from the Riau BPBD, from January to August, 10,514 hotspots were recorded. Of that number, 521 points developed into firespots. Most have been successfully extinguished, and seven points remain burning.
The seven points are spread across four regencies: Pelalawan, Indragiri Hilir, Indragiri Hulu, and Kampar. The largest fire is in Kerumutan, Pelalawan Regency, covering around 700 hectares.
In addition to praising the results of forest and land fire handling, Prabowo still urged Riau officials not to be complacent. He instructed that the remaining approximately 900 hectares be completed immediately and that TNI-Polri forces be deployed if necessary. “If you need additional assistance, report immediately. But I believe you only have 900 left, remain vigilant going forward,” said Prabowo.