Riau senator appreciates additional support for forest fire handling
Pekanbaru (ANTARA) - Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) member from Riau, Muhammad Mursyid, has expressed appreciation for the central government’s additional support to strengthen the handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) in Riau Province.
Mursyid said in Pekanbaru on Wednesday that President Prabowo Subianto’s presence, who directly led the karhutla handling meeting at the Riau Province Forward Post, Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base, on Monday (24/8), demonstrated the central government’s attention to Riau’s condition.
“We convey our gratitude and appreciation to President Prabowo Subianto for taking the time to be present directly in Riau. His presence provides encouragement while showing that the central government is truly present with the community in facing this karhutla problem,” he said.
During the visit, President Prabowo ordered the deployment of two additional water-bombing helicopters and 500 oxygen units to strengthen karhutla handling in Riau.
The President also requested that oxygen supplies be increased to 700 units to provide reserves.
He said the communication was directed at encouraging coordination between the central government, regional governments, security forces, disaster management agencies, and related parties so that karhutla handling is not only carried out when fires grow large, but also through prevention, early detection, and rapid response.
Based on the Riau Provincial Government’s report in the meeting led by the President, as of 23 August 2026 there were 306 hotspots in Riau. Of that number, seven points had become fire points spread across four districts.
In the meeting, the President also asked relevant officials not to wait for hotspots to develop into fire points and to immediately take early action at detected locations.
Prabowo also requested that public education be strengthened to prevent land clearing by burning.
“We must anticipate together. Do not let the smoke spread further and the community become victims. When smoke appears, the problem is not only health, but also education, the economy, and social activities of the community are disrupted,” he said.