Tito Urges Regional Governments to Act Swiftly on Forest Fires and Prevent New Blazes
Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian is pushing regional governments to act swiftly in handling forest and land fires, both in responding to ongoing blazes and in prevention efforts.
Tito affirmed that these regional efforts are supported by the central government through approval of additional Unexpected Expenditure (BTT) budget for seven provinces affected by forest and land fires.
He made the remarks at a coordination meeting on developments in the handling and mitigation of forest and land fires, held virtually on Tuesday (15/9) and led by Coordinating Minister for Political and Legal Affairs Djamari Chaniago.
“Support funding for 7 provinces, regencies and cities has been approved, with additional unexpected expenditure of Rp760 billion,” the minister said.
In line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives, the additional BTT budget is intended to support forest and land fire handling needs in the regions. According to Tito, speed is essential so that field responses are not hindered by administrative processes.
“To make the technical side faster, we have issued a circular letter to all regional heads. Do not let the funds sit idle once they arrive… the essence of this administration is speed of use,” Tito said.
To optimise the realisation of the BTT budget, regional heads are asked to issue Regional Head Regulations (Perkada), so that the additional funds can be deployed promptly to support fire handling in their areas.
Separately, to optimise the use of the BTT, the minister has issued Circular Letter Number 300.2.8/6460/SJ on the use of central government assistance and financial aid from other regional governments to the provincial and regency/city governments in Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and East Kalimantan.
Through these measures, forest and land fire handling is expected to be carried out more quickly and optimally.
At the same meeting, Tito asked regional governments to strengthen implementation of Presidential Instruction Number 11 of 2026 on strengthening the enforcement of the ban on land clearing by burning and the control of forest and land fires.
In that context, he requested that a number of regions whose Regional Regulations (Perda) still contain generally worded rules adjust them to comply with the presidential instruction.
“Those regulations are very general and essentially permit it; these Perda must be amended… they must be amended by the regional head and their regional parliament,” the minister concluded.