Tito Bans Land Clearing by Burning, Mardani: Involve the Community

Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian has instructed all regional heads to prohibit land clearing by burning. Member of Commission II of the House of Representatives from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction, Mardani Ali Sera, said that many personnel are needed and the community must be involved for the instruction to be effective.

Mardani initially said the government should have been prepared to face forest and land fires. According to him, the El Nino warning had been issued well in advance.

“The warning of the arrival of the Godzilla El Nino was issued months ago. We should have prepared the umbrella before it rains. There should have been a task force preparing scenarios. Forest and land fire incidents have also occurred frequently. It is a pity for the forests and the community,” Mardani said when contacted on Tuesday (25/8/2026).

Mardani then said that for Tito’s instruction to be effective, there needs to be adequate budget and personnel. In addition, he said the community needs to be involved.

“To be effective, there must be two conditions: personnel and budget. Regional heads can convey the condition of personnel who can guard and protect their areas. West Kalimantan’s area is 1.2 times the size of Java Island. Many personnel are needed or community involvement is required. Plus, is there a budget when many regions have had their general allocation funds reduced,” he said.

Furthermore, Mardani also assessed the importance of coordination. According to him, the current forest and land fires could be just the initial phase of a potentially larger disaster.

“Joint coordination is needed. The current condition may just be the beginning. If it is not handled, it could cause a more devastating disaster. Therefore, cooperation between the central government, regional governments, and the community must be brought to life,” he said.

Previously, it was reported that the Home Affairs Minister’s instruction was addressed to regional heads. The instruction relates to the prohibition of land clearing by burning, including for customary reasons.

“I issued Home Affairs Minister Instruction Number 1 of 2026, which essentially prohibits regional heads—regents, governors, mayors—from clearing land by burning without exception. Previously there was an exception for customary matters, now there is no exception,” Tito said at the Jakarta Convention Centre on Sunday (23/8).

Tito said the measure was taken to prevent the emergence of new burning points. He added that the instruction had just been issued.

“Home Affairs Minister Instruction Number 1 of 2026 was issued yesterday, immediately. Even though the Minister of Environment has also issued a circular dated the 10th,” he said.

Tito explained that all elements have been asked to work maximally in handling forest and land fires. The current priority is to extinguish the fires while preventing the emergence of new hotspots.

“So the main strategy is that land that has already caught fire must be extinguished immediately and localised with all mobilisation of forces, including from the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Agriculture, and others,” he said.