Prabowo pushes eco-friendly innovation in forest fire suppression
President Prabowo Subianto is encouraging innovation in handling forest and land fires (karhutla), including developing alternative fire suppression materials. Prabowo is interested in the ‘ubi bombing’ breakthrough.
This interest was conveyed by Prabowo while leading a karhutla handling meeting at the South Sumatra Karhutla Command Post in Palembang on Monday (24/8/2026). During the meeting, Prabowo stressed that the remaining burned land of around 1,900 hectares in South Sumatra should be extinguished immediately.
Prabowo asked relevant officials to evaluate the obstacles they face. He said the central government would provide assistance if needed.
“So I emphasise, try to ensure that these 1,900 hectares can be extinguished immediately. Whatever obstacles you face in the field, evaluate them, and if additional assistance from above is needed, we will try to arrange it as soon as possible,” said Prabowo.
Prabowo then asked BNPB and BRIN to study the possibility of using certain chemicals or materials to extinguish or prevent the spread of fire more effectively. According to Prabowo, such innovation could be used by firefighting teams in the field in the form of spray canisters or other more practical methods.
“Like a fire extinguisher, what we imagine coming out is a chemical substance. Is that right? Yes, please check. Maybe BRIN, please check with BRIN. Can BRIN produce it or can we source it? It is sold for equipment, the contents. We want the contents, find out where to source it from so that it might be more effective for teams going into the field, they already carry those canisters. It might be faster,” said Prabowo.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo then reported an innovation in fire suppression material made from cassava or sweet potato flour that was previously discovered by a TNI member in Lubuk Linggau. The material is considered to have potential to prevent the spread of fire by separating the elements that support the combustion process, while also being used to extinguish fires at an early stage.
Commander of Regional Military Command II/Sriwijaya Major General TNI Ujang Darwis also reported that the innovation had been presented to relevant officials and submitted to BNPB. Although its production capacity is currently still limited, the material is considered effective and has the potential to be developed on a larger scale.
Responding to the report, Prabowo asked that the innovation made from cassava or sweet potato be developed immediately and tested on a larger scale. Prabowo asked that the production budget requirements be submitted immediately so that the government can support the research, production, and effectiveness testing process.
“Very interesting. The raw material is from cassava, from sweet potato. Try to produce it on a large scale. Submit the cost for its production. We will make every effort. So what we water bomb is not water bomb, it’s ubi bombing. Ubi bombing,” said Prabowo.
In addition to developing fire suppression material innovation, Prabowo asked the TNI Commander to test the capability of Team Alpha in supporting karhutla handling in South Sumatra. Various support and handling methods will continue to be evaluated so that extinguishing efforts can be carried out quickly, effectively, and comprehensively.