Riau Police Chief Partners with Editors' Forum to Strengthen Synergy Against Forest Fires and Drug Crimes
A meeting was held at the Riau Provincial Police Headquarters on Thursday (7/5/2026), attended by several editors from national and local media, as well as the Indonesian Television Journalists’ Association (IJTI) and the Indonesian Photojournalists’ Association (PFI). Accompanying the Riau Police Chief were, among others, the Head of Traffic Police of Riau Provincial Police, Kombes Jeki Rahmat Mustika, the Head of Water and Air Police of Riau Provincial Police, Kombes Apri Fajar Hermanto, and the Head of Public Relations of Riau Provincial Police, Kombes Zahwani Pandra Arsyad.
“I need to explain what is happening in Riau Province. There is a dominant percentage of problems, where the highest is related to the environment. Second, issues related to drugs, which is one of the biggest,” said Irjen Herry Heryawan.
Other issues concern Petroleum Fuel (BBM), as Riau is one of Indonesia’s largest energy-producing provinces. “30 percent of the national oil comes from here. However, this is where the paradox of natural wealth that I once mentioned lies,” he stated.
The Police Chief also touched on customary land disputes that often trigger agrarian conflicts in Riau Province, which still coexist with the natural wealth contained in the Land of Lancang Kuning.
Forest Fires and Super El Niño
One of the serious threats facing Riau Province is forest and land fires (karhutla) that occur every year. Unlike previous years, in 2026, Riau faces the potential for karhutla amid the threat of the Super El Niño phenomenon, which is a 30-year cycle.
“This effort cannot be done by us alone, because the leading sector for disasters is with other agencies. However, if we do not help, the impact will be a security issue. The smoke that emerges will cause acute respiratory infections and social unrest,” he added.
Facing the Super El Niño phenomenon, the Riau Provincial Police emphasises the importance of preventive efforts and education to all levels of society, alongside mitigation efforts and readiness of facilities and infrastructure. Regarding this, the Police Chief has directed district police chiefs to ensure the availability of canals and reservoirs.
“The public must also care; this is not the police’s responsibility alone. Encourage them to understand that if a fire occurs, everyone loses. Implement a door-to-door system, encourage them to plant trees in their respective neighbourhoods,” he said.
The Police Chief also launched the spirit of Green Policing, a community-based prevention movement. He encouraged Community Guidance and Security Protection Officers (Bhabinkamtibmas) to become the driving force for greening and urged companies and the public to care for the environment through the Fire-Free Village competition.
Drugs and Commitment to PTDH
Regarding drug trafficking, the Riau Police Chief gave a stern evaluation to his ranks where the disclosure rate is still low. He also emphasised no tolerance for personnel involved in the illicit goods.
“For personnel who commit drug violations, my order is clear: immediate PTDH (Dishonourable Discharge). We must be clean inside before the public trusts us to clean outside,” the Police Chief stated firmly.
He also highlighted the case in Panipahan and ordered firm action to provide a deterrent effect, while reactivating “Resilient Drug-Free Villages” in vulnerable areas such as Rupat Island and palm oil plantations.
In closing his remarks, the Police Chief touched on the impact of the global economic situation on the prices of basic commodities and BBM. With the surging dollar exchange rate, he ordered his ranks to monitor SPBU stocks in real-time through technology and to crack down harshly on fuel hoarders.
“Riau is the national energy base. Do not let shortages occur that unsettle the public. We must become the architects of security capable of predicting upheavals before they happen,” he concluded.