Prabowo urges mass production of cassava powder for fire control

President Prabowo Subianto has called for mass production of an innovative fire-suppressing material made from cassava or tapioca flour to help tackle forest and land fires. He delivered the instruction during a wildfire response meeting in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Monday (24/8). The idea emerged after Listyo Sigit Prabowo explained the existence of a flour-based material that could help prevent flames and extinguish fires at an early stage. Pangdam II/Sriwijaya Maj Gen Ujang Darwis said the innovation was discovered by a Babinsa member in Lubuklinggau, but production capacity remains limited. Prabowo then asked for further research, testing of its effectiveness, including possible use by helicopter, and for production costs to be submitted soon.