Prabowo Establishes Peat and Mangrove Agency Directly Under President to Enhance Fire Prevention

President Prabowo Subianto has decided to establish the National Peat and Mangrove Management Agency (BPGMN) to strengthen the prevention of forest and land fires (karhutla). Unlike the previous institution, this new agency will be directly under the President. Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni said the decision was made after the President received input from scientists in a meeting at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Thursday, September 24. "The instruction is that the President has made a decision to establish a body called the National Peat and Mangrove Management Agency," said Raja Juli. According to Raja Juli, the establishment of the institution is based on the need to strengthen the prevention of forest fires. The government wants to reduce dependence on extinguishing actions after a fire occurs. The BPGMN will be filled with scientists and professionals and supported by adequate budgets. The initial focus includes six provinces with peat areas, namely Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan. Raja Juli explained that the new agency is different from the Peat and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) which had previously been disbanded. According to Raja Juli, BRGM had limited authority, while BPGMN is designed to have a direct position under the President. He denied that the establishment of BPGMN would overlap with the Ministry of Forestry. In fact, Raja Juli admitted that he also proposed the establishment of the body to the President. Although the initial decision has been made, the composition of the BPGMN leadership has not been announced. Raja Juli handed over further explanation regarding this to the Minister of State Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary. "This is only an initial decision," he said. He hopes that the establishment of the body can be carried out as soon as possible. While the institutional process is being prepared, the government will continue to carry out the ongoing forest and peatland fire operation.