Prabowo Asserts Continued Investigation into Corporations Behind Forest Fires

The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, has stated that the government will continue to enforce order on corporations in an effort to prevent forest and land fires, particularly in peatland areas. He emphasised that the government will persist in investigating corporations that engage in intentional burning.

Prabowo made these remarks during a discussion with several academics from various research institutions and universities at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday (24/9). “We will continue to investigate corporations that carry out intentional burning. First, we must correct the regulations. We must be firm in that regard,” said Prabowo in a video uploaded to the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel on Friday (25/9).

Prabowo highlighted that several regional regulations at the regency level still allow for land burning of up to two hectares. He stated that such provisions could create loopholes that make fire control difficult if the blaze spreads. “There are still eight regional regulations in regencies. Imagine people wanting to use the loophole that they are allowed to burn 2 hectares, which I believe is complete nonsense—that one person is allowed to burn 2 hectares,” he said.

Prabowo also stated that the government will strengthen education through the deployment of TNI (National Armed Forces) and potentially Polri (National Police) personnel to various regions. He noted that this step would be accompanied by providing solutions for communities that require means to manage land without resorting to burning.

“So, I have tasked the TNI, and perhaps the Polri; I will deploy one thousand officers—Majors, Lieutenant Colonels, Colonels—one thousand of them to those regencies to provide education,” he said. Prabowo emphasised that these efforts are intended to ensure that communities can continue to manage land and improve their welfare without the need for burning.

He also stated that the government would prepare support in the form of land or supporting facilities as needed. “The solution has already been provided. If you need land, report it, and we will provide land for you. We will prepare pumps for you,” he added.

Furthermore, Prabowo asserted that corporations have obligations set by regulation, ranging from the provision of towers and reservoirs to fire brigades. “For every 5 hectares, there must be a tower; for every certain number of hectares, there must be a reservoir; there are already regulations, and you must have a fire brigade consisting of your employees,” he said.