Prabowo Looks for West Java Governor as KDM Reports He Is Fighting Ciremai Forest Fires
West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi (KDM) confirmed that he was absent from the National Coordination Meeting of the Regional Financial Access Acceleration Team (TPAKD) at JIExpo Jakarta on Thursday (22 October).
His absence attracted attention after President Prabowo Subianto looked for him before delivering his remarks.
In a post on his social media account, Dedi said he was away because he was directly leading efforts to extinguish a forest and land fire in the Mount Ciremai National Park area of Kuningan Regency.
Dedi said his decision to be on the ground followed priority guidance from State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi. He also said he had formally reported his absence to Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
“I explained that dealing with the Ciremai fire was a priority focus recommended by the State Secretary. I have also reported to the Cabinet Secretary,” Dedi said.
Earlier, during a briefing at JIExpo Jakarta, President Prabowo had asked where the head of the West Java provincial government was, in front of the regional leaders attending the TPAKD meeting.
“Where is KDM? The person closest to us is the one who isn’t here. He must be busy,” President Prabowo said as he greeted the meeting’s participants.
On the latest efforts to tackle the Mount Ciremai fire, Dedi said the flames on West Java’s highest mountain had been contained and would not spread to surrounding areas.
To speed up efforts to extinguish the fire completely in the steep terrain, the West Java provincial government has coordinated with the Deputy Minister of Defence, the TNI Commander and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force to deploy firefighting helicopters.
“Today, helicopters will be sent from Bogor: one to Kertajati and two to Sukani Airbase in Majalengka. From there, they will carry out water-bombing operations to deal with the fire, put it out and stop it spreading elsewhere,” Dedi said.
In addition to aircraft, 1,000 personnel from the military, police and local volunteer groups have been deployed to strengthen firebreaks and make use of natural channels on the mountain’s slopes.
“Today we have deployed 1,000 local residents, military personnel, police officers and volunteers to put the channels to use as part of a comprehensive response to the fire. In future, if another fire breaks out, well-established channels and the effective use of natural channels will help prevent it from spreading,” Dedi said.
He also urged the public to stop activities that could trigger forest and land fires and to work together to protect the natural environment.
“I would like to thank everyone. Let us take care of and protect our natural environment together. We are part of nature: nature does not need us, but we need nature,” Dedi added.