Prabowo's Warning: Forest and Land Fires Must Not Reach IKN Core Zone

President Prabowo Subianto has warned that forest and land fires (karhutla) in East Kalimantan must not be allowed to reach the core zone of IKN Nusantara, the new capital. Prabowo demanded that his subordinates pay serious attention to this instruction.

He made the remarks during a limited meeting on disaster management at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday (7/9/2026). The meeting was attended virtually by cabinet members and heads of disaster-affected regions.

Prabowo asked the Head of BNPB, Suharyanto, to explain which provinces still had extensive hotspots. It is understood that Riau and West Kalimantan still have widespread hotspots.

“What must also be watched is the fire burning near IKN. It must be monitored,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo asked that attention be paid to the placement of Japanese military ships and helicopters arriving in Kalimantan to assist with firefighting efforts. He stressed to meeting participants that fire hotspots must not penetrate the IKN area.

“Perhaps we need to deploy more assets to ensure the fires do not reach… yes, the core zone (of IKN),” he added.