JAKARTA – As dry season coming, the threats of forest and land fires (Karhutla) are looming across Indonesia, especially in fire-prone areas. To avoid recurring cases of Karhutla, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq has issued a stern warning for companies concerned not to fail in taking all necessary measures to prevent the Karhutla cases.
“Ready to anticipate and prevent forest fires, or ready to face sanctions in case of forest fires,” Minister Hanif said to hundreds of companies required to make total preparations in anticipating the forest and land fires.
According to him, a total of 635 companies as the holders of forest use permits (PBPH) and plantation business permits (IUP) have been audited directly on the field regarding their preparedness to prevent the fires. The checking covers preparation of facilities of fire extinguishing, monitoring towers, heavy equipment units, and other operational supporting facilities, which are vital to conduct early detection and controlling of Karhutla.
“We cannot wait until the fire getting bigger. Our preparedness is the key. Companies should have complete facilities and equipment, skilled personnels, clear financial support to handle the karhutla cases,” Minister Hanif said during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (19/6/2025).
The minister, accompanied by his team, rergional governments, and other stakeholders like the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI), made a visit to provinces considered as fire-prone areas, such as Riau, West Kalimantan, and South Sumatera. “We want to ensure that all business players and related stakeholders are totally prepared to deal with the potential threat of karhutla cases during the incoming dry season,” he said.
He said that companies that do not report their preparations will get administrative sanctions in accordance with the environment minister regulation No.32/ 2016 and the agriculture minister regulation No. 6/ 2025. “If the companies failed to comply, then criminal sanctions can be applied based on the law (UU) No: 32/ 2009 on protection and management of environment,” he said.
“This is not just a matter of legal case, but a matter of saving forest, air, and public health. We don’t want to see ecological disasters happening just because of negligence,” Minister Hanif said.
Riau’s Preparations
Meanwhile, Riau province’s Regional Disaster Mitigation and Firefighting Board Chairman Edy Afrizal said in Pekanbaru on Tuesday that 12 regencies/mayoralties in Riau province had declared a state of karhutla (forest and land fires) emergency to ensure preparations to prevent fires. “Previously, only 10 regencies/ mayoralties that were ready, but now all of the 12 regencies/mayoralties are ready to prevent the karhutla,” he said.
He stated that through the state of karhutla emergency all stakeholders will keep their alertness in anticipating any potential case of karhutla in the province, which is one the main fire-prone areas in the country.
“With the state of emergency we ensure the mobilization of personnel, logistics, and technical support can be conducted faster. Besides, coordination among stakeholders, such as BPBD, military, police and related companies can be implemented more effectively,” he said. (*)
