Teras Narang Urges Central Government to Optimise Central Kalimantan Forest Fire Handling
Member of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) Agustin Teras Narang has affirmed that the central government’s role is crucial and strategic in supporting the handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) in Central Kalimantan. This follows an increase in fire intensity due to the extreme dry season in the region.
According to data from the Central Kalimantan Disaster Management and Fire Brigade Agency (BPB-PK), 472 karhutla incidents had been recorded by mid-July 2026. Teras Narang considers this figure a danger alarm for the region’s stability.
“472 karhutla incidents are not merely statistics on paper, but a danger alarm. The fires have scorched more than 456.78 hectares of green land in Bumi Tambun Bungai due to the extreme dry season,” Teras said when contacted from Palangka Raya on Saturday (25/7).
The senator from Central Kalimantan warned that if the situation is left without extraordinary handling, the economies of directly affected regencies and cities would sink further. He therefore urged stronger synergy between levels of government.
“Coordination and collaboration between regency and city governments and the provincial government must be more intensive. The central government must also lend its support,” he asserted.
Beyond coordination, Teras also highlighted the importance of fiscal certainty for disaster management. He hopes regional governments will guarantee the full availability of disaster budgets, despite currently facing fiscal pressure.
According to him, budget cuts must not sacrifice disaster-response capacity. This directly relates to equipment readiness, alertness, and the safety of officers and volunteers in the field.
“The people’s right to safety, health, and protection from haze disasters must be absolutely safeguarded,” Teras added.
Meanwhile, the Central Kalimantan Provincial Government, together with cross-sectoral agencies, continues to optimise firefighting efforts through land and air operations. Head of the Central Kalimantan BPB-PK, Ahmad Toyib, revealed that the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has provided operational support.
A total of four helicopters are currently deployed to handle karhutla in Central Kalimantan.
“The collaboration of land and air firefighting is the government’s effort to ensure optimal karhutla control,” Ahmad Toyib concluded.