Environment minister targets wildfire control within weeks
The government is drafting rule changes that would tighten a provision allowing land clearing by burning up to 2 hectares per family.
Minister of Environment and head of the Environmental Control Agency Jumhur Hidayat said forest and land fires should be brought under control within a few weeks, or less than one month. He said the government has deployed tens of thousands of personnel, but firefighting remains constrained by water supplies and water bombing operations. To curb recurring karhutla, the government is preparing a revision to Article 69 paragraph (2) of Law No. 32/2009, which has allowed an exception for land clearing by burning up to 2 hectares per household head. The government is also preparing tighter rules in concession areas: land that burns before being planted with industrial crops may not be converted into plantations, including palm oil. Offers of assistance from friendly countries will first be screened based on needs and effectiveness on the ground.