Prabowo Tours Provinces to Inspect Forest and Land Fire Handling

President Prabowo Subianto conducted a tour of forest and land fire (karhutla) locations in Kalimantan and Sumatra. The tour was a step by Prabowo to check and ensure that the handling of the karhutla problem in the field was running optimally.

One of the inspection points was on Jalan A. Yani III, Limbung Village, Sungai Raya District, Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan. Prabowo arrived at the location on Saturday (22/8/2026) at around 13.20 WIB.

When getting out of the car, Prabowo, who was wearing a cream safari shirt and a dark blue cap, immediately headed to one of the karhutla points. Prabowo appeared not to be wearing a mask during the inspection.

Accompanying Prabowo in this inspection were, among others, Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi, Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) Teddy Indra Wijaya, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto. They also appeared not to be wearing masks.

Prabowo appeared to walk along the burned land. He saw up close the condition of the affected area and the extinguishing process being carried out by joint officers.

In the middle of the inspection, Prabowo gave directions to the ministers and related officials accompanying him. He emphasised the importance of handling karhutla quickly and in a coordinated manner so that the fire could be controlled immediately and not spread to other areas.

Prabowo also approached and greeted the officers who were on duty carrying out the extinguishing process. Not only interacting with officers, Prabowo also greeted a number of residents who were around the location.

By going directly to the fire location, Prabowo wanted to ensure that the directions and strategies for handling karhutla could be implemented effectively in the field. The government also continued to deploy various efforts to accelerate extinguishing while preventing the spread of karhutla in Kalimantan.

President Prabowo Subianto then continued his working visit to Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan.

Prabowo arrived at Tjilik Riwut Airport, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, at 15.25 WIB. He immediately held a limited meeting to coordinate karhutla handling at the Forward Air Task Force Post.

Present at the meeting were Mensesneg Prasetyo Hadi, Seskab Teddy Indra Wijaya, Deputy National Police Chief Commissioner General Dedi Prasetyo, Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Muhammad Herindra, Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian, and Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak. A number of local officials were also seen attending the meeting.

“Today, Saturday, 22 August 2026, after earlier from the post in West Kalimantan, here at the Forward Post of Central Kalimantan, Palangka Raya, several ministers, the Army Chief of Staff, the Deputy National Police Chief, the Governor, the Regional Military Commander, and the Central Kalimantan Police Chief have been present,” said Teddy when opening the meeting.

The tour continued to Pekanbaru, Riau, on Monday (24/8/2026). Based on observations at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base, Pekanbaru, the plane carrying Prabowo landed at around 11.00 WIB. Prabowo appeared to be wearing a cream safari shirt paired with a blue cap.

Prabowo’s arrival at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base was immediately greeted by haze from the impact of karhutla. The haze appeared to blanket the air in the Riau region.

Prabowo arrived accompanied by Mensesneg Prasetyo Hadi, Mendagri Tito Karnavian, Seskab Teddy Indra Wijaya, and Head of BIN Muhammad Herindra. Also seen welcoming Prabowo’s arrival were TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and KSAD General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak.

“After directly inspecting the handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) in West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan, President Prabowo Subianto continued his visit to Sumatra, starting from Riau Province, to ensure that karhutla handling runs quickly, in an integrated manner, and effectively,” said Mensesneg Prasetyo Hadi to reporters on Monday (24/8).

Prasetyo said this visit was a form of Prabowo’s commitment to ensuring the state is present and provides protection to communities affected by karhutla and haze.

After Riau, Prabowo continued his working visit on karhutla handling to Palembang, South Sumatra.

Prabowo arrived at Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport, Palembang, on Monday (24/8/2026), at around 13.30 WIB. Prabowo appeared to be wearing a cream safari shirt and a blue cap.

While in Pekanbaru, Prabowo conveyed that prevention measures should be prioritised so that no new hotspots emerge.

“Yes, go directly there, immediately make an artesian well. Once there is a hotspot, make a water borehole there. Do not wait for a fire spot to emerge,” Prabowo stressed before his staff.

To anticipate the emergence of karhutla hotspots, Prabowo encouraged prevention efforts as the top priority. He asked the central and regional governments to provide understanding to the public not to clear land by burning.

“Then, all apparatus must prevent any individuals or residents who deliberately burn land for any reason. Provide explanations and education to all elements in all villages. Explain that burning land is strictly prohibited,” said Prabowo.

As further direction, Prabowo asked people who want to clear land to report to the village government up to the district level. Prabowo ensured that the apparatus would help the community in accordance with legal and environmental provisions.

“If they need to clear land, they should report to the village head, sub-district head, or regent. The government will help them. The TNI and Polri will accompany the regional government in helping the people,” he said.