Supporting National Agenda, South Sumatra Police Chief Asks Units to Implement Early Mitigation for Forest and Land Fires
The South Sumatra Police (Polda Sumsel) is strengthening its commitment to supporting national strategic agendas through the optimisation of forest and land fire (karhutla) prevention in 2026. This step forms an integral part of the Indonesian National Police’s (Polri) role in maintaining security stability as well as environmental conservation in the South Sumatra region.
South Sumatra Police Chief Irjen Sandi Nugroho has instructed his units to carry out early mitigation to prevent karhutla. He emphasised that his ranks would not wait for major fires to occur before taking action.
“We must prioritise a prevention paradigm. Early detection, education for the public, and routine patrols must be the top priorities. Synergy with local governments, especially regents and mayors, is the key to success in handling karhutla,” said Irjen Sandi on Saturday (24/4/2026).
The South Sumatra Police Chief today attended the 2026 Provincial Coordination Meeting on Controlling Forest, Plantation, and Land Fires in South Sumatra, held at the Graha Bina Praja Auditorium, Jalan Kapten A Rivai, Palembang.
This coordination meeting aims to align steps between the police, local governments (pemda), and related agencies in facing the potential dry season. The main focus emphasised is transforming the karhutla handling pattern from responsive to preventive through early detection and strengthening cross-sectoral synergy.
Karhutla Prevention Policies align with the Polri Presisi programme and central government directives in maintaining environmental resilience and national economic stability. Effective karhutla handling is seen as an important factor in preserving community economic activities and preventing health impacts from haze.
In its implementation, Polda Sumsel has mobilised polres units in vulnerable areas such as Musi Banyuasin, Ogan Komering Ilir, and North Musi Rawas to intensify integrated patrols. From January to April 2026, more than 3,004 karhutla patrol activities have been recorded, accompanied by the dissemination of notices prohibiting land burning to the public.
This step has a positive impact on increasing regional preparedness in suppressing potential hotspots. The active involvement of Polri in the field is expected to encourage public awareness to no longer open land by burning.
Head of Public Relations of Polda Sumsel Kombes Nandang Mu’min Wijaya added that all facilities and infrastructure have been prepared to support these prevention efforts.
“We continue to prioritise a humanistic approach through socialisation and education to the public, but accompanied by firm law enforcement against violations. Polda Sumsel is committed to realising a smoke-free South Sumatra through collaboration of all elements,” said Kombes Nandang.
Polda Sumsel is optimistic about maintaining public order and security stability while protecting the living environment through the implementation of these strategic and measured steps. Synergy between Polri, local governments, and the community is the main factor in realising a safe, healthy South Sumatra free from karhutla threats.