Military Deploys Helicopters to Combat Forest Fires Near Indonesia's New Capital

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) have deployed soldiers and an H225M Caracal helicopter from the Air Force to combat forest and land fires (karhutla) in the vicinity of the new capital, Nusantara (IKN), in East Kalimantan. According to a press release from the TNI Information Center, the helicopter from Skadron Udara 8, Lanud Atang Sendjaja, arrived at Lanud Dhomber, Balikpapan, on Friday, September 4th, and immediately began aerial patrols to monitor and map fire hotspots. The H225M Caracal helicopter is equipped with a water bucket capable of carrying up to 2,000 liters of water, supporting firefighting efforts, particularly in areas difficult to reach from the ground. "This deployment is a follow-up to a request from the IKN Authority through the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), which received approval from the TNI Headquarters and the Air Force Headquarters," the press release stated. Meanwhile, TNI soldiers, along with relevant elements in the East Kalimantan region, are conducting monitoring and handling of the karhutla. "The support from the H225M Caracal strengthens the implementation of aerial patrols, mapping of fire hotspots, and water bombing according to the developing situation and handling needs," the press release added. The Nusantara Capital Authority (IKN) is also taking legal action against parties allegedly involved in the karhutla in the area. One company suspected of being involved in the fires has been reported to law enforcement. Head of the IKN Authority, Basuki Hadimuljono, stated that the case of alleged land burning in the Nusantara area is still under investigation. He affirmed that the authority respects the ongoing legal process and fully entrusts the handling to law enforcement agencies in accordance with applicable regulations. "Currently, the case is under investigation. We respect the ongoing process and fully entrust its handling to law enforcement officers according to the applicable mechanism," he said in a statement on Friday, September 4th, as quoted by detikKalimantan. Basuki noted that the enforcement of regulations is carried out measurably and equally for all parties. This report serves as a follow-up after the alleged perpetrators ignored the authority's appeals and guidance. "We prioritized guidance and the provision of solutions. However, when negligence is repeated and harms the environment and the community, regulations must be enforced without differentiating parties," he stated. The IKN Authority has imposed administrative sanctions on the company, including a directive to restore the affected area. "We have imposed sanctions on one plantation company in the form of a forced restoration of the affected area," Basuki said. The IKN Authority has also placed several companies under special surveillance, given that the number of hotspots in their operational areas has not shown a decrease. "Several other companies are currently under special surveillance because the number of hotspots in their operational areas has not shown a decrease," he explained. The IKN Authority has also issued a Circular Letter prohibiting land clearing by burning. The authority will conduct daily monitoring and take further action in accordance with applicable provisions. "We prohibit land clearing by burning for all responsible parties of business activities within the delineated area of IKN. It is also forbidden to burn trash and carelessly discard cigarette butts," said the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing for two terms under President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). "The enforcement of regulations is carried out after the stages of appeals and guidance have been ignored," Basuki emphasized.