Prabowo Orders Immediate Water Boring at Hotspots, Threatens to Revoke Corporate Permits Over Forest Fires
President Prabowo Subianto has issued directives to members of the Red and White Cabinet and regional governments on handling forest and land fires in Indonesia. Prabowo ordered that every hotspot be immediately addressed by drilling a water bore.
The directives were delivered while Prabowo chaired a limited meeting on forest fire handling at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Monday (24/8/2026). The instructions were given after receiving a presentation on forest fire handling from the Riau Regional Disaster Management Agency.
“Go straight there and immediately drill a water bore. As soon as there is a hotspot, drill a water bore there. Do not wait for open flames,” Prabowo told his subordinates.
To anticipate the emergence of forest fire hotspots, Prabowo urged that prevention be prioritised. He asked central and regional governments to educate the public not to clear land by burning.
“Then all apparatus must prevent any individuals or people who deliberately burn for whatever reason. Provide explanation and education to all elements in every village, explain that burning land is strictly prohibited,” Prabowo said.
In further directives, Prabowo asked residents who wish to clear land to report to village and district governments. He assured that officials would assist the public in accordance with legal and environmental provisions.
“If they need to clear land, they should report to the village head, subdistrict head, or regent, and the government will help them. The TNI and Polri will assist regional governments in helping the people,” he added.
Additionally, Prabowo instructed the police and prosecutors to investigate corporations involved in forest and land fires. He ordered that corporations deliberately burning forests and land be investigated.
“Especially if there is a corporation that ordered it, I ask the police, prosecutors and intelligence agencies to investigate,” he said.
Prabowo said investigation and evidence are needed for corporations involved in forest and land fires. He threatened to revoke the permits of corporations involved in such fires.
“If there is any indication, report it immediately and we will revoke them, whoever the corporation is. If there is even a slight indication that they ordered the burning, we will revoke their permits, all of the corporation’s permits,” Prabowo said.