Prabowo Orders Review of Regional Regulations Amidst Forest Fire Concerns

President Prabowo Subianto has emphasized the importance of tightening regulations and corporate oversight as part of efforts to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla), particularly in peatland areas. He noted that many regional regulations at the district level still allow for land burning. Prabowo conveyed this during a discussion with academics from various research institutions and universities at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (24/9). He stated that the government will continue to investigate corporations that intentionally cause fires. In addition to enforcing penalties against violators, Prabowo believes that regulatory improvements are necessary to strengthen fire prevention. "So, ladies and gentlemen, we will continue to investigate corporations that intentionally cause fires. First, we must correct the regulations. Then we must be firm," Prabowo said in his opening remarks in a video uploaded to the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube account on Friday (25/9/2026). Prabowo mentioned that there are still several regional regulations at the district level that permit the burning of land up to 2 hectares. According to him, this provision can become a loophole that makes controlling fire expansion difficult. "There are still eight regional regulations in the districts. Imagine, people trying to use the loophole that they are allowed to burn 2 hectares, which, in my opinion, is complete nonsense that one person can burn 2 hectares. If he burns 2 hectares, how can that fire be stopped?" Prabowo stated. Regarding community-level handling, Prabowo announced plans to strengthen education by deploying personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and potentially the National Police (Polri). This initiative will also involve providing solutions for communities needing means to manage land without resorting to burning. "So I have assigned the TNI, and perhaps I will deploy a thousand officers (major, lieutenant colonel, colonel) to these districts to provide education," Prabowo said. "The solution has been provided. If you need land, report it, and we will create land for you. We will prepare pumps for you," he added. Meanwhile, Prabowo stressed that corporations have obligations stipulated in regulations, including the provision of watchtowers, reservoirs, and fire-fighting teams. Compliance with these stipulations, he noted, needs to be ensured through oversight. "There must be a watchtower every 5 hectares, a reservoir every so many hectares... regulations exist, and you must have a fire-fighting team from your employees. Some companies comply, others do not. We must bring order to this," he stated. Prabowo reiterated that fire management must proceed in tandem with efforts to maintain community welfare and ensure corporate obligations are met. This approach is part of the government's strategy to bolster forest and land fire prevention, especially in peatland areas. "We want our people to prosper; we do not want to endanger them. But corporations are different; we already have provisions and obligations," he affirmed. Source: Detik