Key Points from the Forest and Land Fires Meeting at the Palace: Aerial Operations, Targeting Foreign Parties

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto convened a number of officials to discuss the management of forest and land fires (karhutla) at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday (19 October).

Those present included Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Dudung Abdurachman, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Head of the Presidential Staff Office Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces General Agus Subiyanto, and Chief of the National Police General Suyudi Ario Seto.

The following are the key points from the meeting regarding the management of forest and land fires in several regions of Indonesia:

Following the meeting, Dudung stated that Prabowo had ordered the expansion of aerial operations to tackle the forest and land fires.

Dudung noted that Prabowo had also instructed the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, General Agus Subiyanto, to expand the ‘dry ice’ operations—which had previously relied solely on Casa-type aircraft—by deploying Hercules-type aircraft as well.

“The outcome of the meeting was the President’s direct instructions regarding the management of forest and land fires; the President emphasised that the response to these fires must be truly massive,” he said during a press conference.

Dudung added that the government had instructed companies to construct reservoirs or water storage facilities to prevent the recurrence of forest and land fires.

Companies have also been asked to drill boreholes, whilst the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) have been ordered to map out areas prone to fire.

Dudung explained that this was to ensure forest and land fires were tackled before they broke out, rather than only after the flames had spread.

“Starting with the construction of reservoirs, which has already been ordered to companies, and the drilling of boreholes, which has been ordered to the TNI and Polri, in areas where fires are likely to occur, and irrigation systems have also been installed on the land, such as water retention basins,” said Dudung.

Furthermore, Dudung said that Prabowo had also requested an increase in personnel from the TNI, Polri and the Forestry Department to speed up the response to forest and land fires.

Dudung explained that the total number of personnel currently deployed stands at 60,000. Meanwhile, 47 aircraft are involved in the operation.

“This really must be carried out on a massive scale, in a measured manner, and implemented immediately, as it has indeed been very helpful,” he said.

At the same time, National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto revealed that 98 forest and land fire cases involving corporations have progressed to the investigation stage.

The National Police have also found indications of foreign involvement, including from neighbouring countries, in a number of these cases.

Suyudi stated that investigators are still gathering evidence to identify those responsible for the fires.

He said that suspects would be named once the investigation process was complete and sufficient evidence had been gathered.

“As of today, the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department has been investigating 98 police reports. There are 98 cases relating to corporations,” said Suyudi.

When asked about the origin of these foreign parties, Suyudi mentioned the involvement of a neighbouring country.

He also said that law enforcement action could target company owners or shareholders responsible for the forest and land fires.