Video: Forest and Land Fires Break Out, Palm Oil Entrepreneurs Assist in Firefighting

Indonesia is currently facing forest and land fires (karhutla) across several provinces in Kalimantan and Sumatra. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has recorded approximately 72,000 hectares of burnt peatland spread across six provinces.

Palm oil companies are on high alert regarding the impact of these fires to ensure that plantations located near the affected areas are not compromised. The General Chairman of the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI), Eddy Martono, stated that most of the fires are occurring outside of palm oil concessions; however, because fire hotspots in Central Kalimantan remain high, GAPKI continues to monitor the situation closely.

GAPKI is also participating in prevention and firefighting efforts as part of its social responsibility. Although their plantations have not directly caught fire, the industry is facing difficulties transporting Crude Palm Oil (CPO) because rivers are experiencing drought conditions.

Furthermore, GAPKI has denied allegations involving palm oil companies as the cause of these forest and land fires. The association noted that since many Land Cultivation Rights (HGU) and plantation permits have not yet been approved, it would be impossible for companies to burn forests for the purpose of planting palm oil.