Tactical Posts Established in 8 Locations as Mayawana Persada Accelerates Forest Fire Suppression in Two West Kalimantan Regencies

Efforts to tackle forest and land fires (karhutla) continue to be intensified within the Forest Utilisation Business Permit (PBPH) concession area owned by PT Mayawana Persada, primarily in the Ketapang and Kayong Utara Regencies, West Kalimantan.

Since fire hotspots were identified in early August 2026, the company’s management has deployed Firefighting Squads (RPK) and established tactical posts at eight different locations.

“Most hotspots have been successfully localised, and the frontline teams are currently continuing intensive operations against the remaining fire points without pause, aiming for a 100 per cent containment target. This is being carried out amidst the challenges of difficult terrain, changing wind directions, and limited water supply,” said the Director of PT Mayawana Persada, Iwan Budiman, in a statement on Saturday, 12 September 2026.

In the process of on-the-ground mitigation, PT Mayawana Persada is not working alone. The company is working hand-in-hand with local communities by activating Fire Care Groups (MPA) in buffer villages.

For instance, residents in Sekucing Kualan, Sekorducing Labai, and Sungai Mata-mata villages have been provided with training and complete personal protective equipment (PPE). Furthermore, synergy has been strengthened with cross-sectoral agencies such as KPH Kayong Utara and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD).

Collaboration is being carried out within the Mata Pandawa working group, alongside partnerships with the Palung Foundation through the provision of heavy equipment (PC 60), daily firefighting personnel, the construction of reservoirs, and fire breaks extending to villages outside the concession that share direct borders. The Borneo People’s Solidarity Post (Posko Solidaritas Rakyat Borneo) has also received operational field support.

Iwan ensured that the company has also distributed specific firefighting technical equipment, as well as medicine packages and logistics, to several agencies. The Ketapang Regency BPBD received 3 pump units, 3 fire jet nozzles, and 6 fire hoses. The Ketapang Police (Polres Ketapang) received 3 pump units, 3 fire jet nozzles, and 6 fire hoses.

Meanwhile, the Kayong Utara KPH UPT received 2 pump units, 2 fire jet nozzles, and 4 fire hoses. The Kayong Utara Regency BPBD received 1 pump unit, 1 fire jet nozzle, and 2 fire hoses, while similar support was distributed through partnerships with the Palung Foundation and handling posts.

“The company has distributed a total of 23 units of technical firefighting equipment, including pump engines (Ministrike and Robin types), along with hose equipment, which were distributed specifically alongside medicine packages and logistics to various agencies,” said Iwan.