"We have already discussed this just now. The governor said he was not able to implement (such an idea) because the budget is not available at the district. So, I have ordered the BNPB (National Disaster Mitigation Agency) and the forestry ministry to immediately do the needful," he said while visiting a forest in the village of Sakakajang in the subdistrict of Jabiren, Pulang Pisau, Central Kalimantan, on Thursday.
Even as soldiers and police personnel were fighting the flames, the President held a meeting with Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan, Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya, TNI (military) Commander General Gator Nurmantyo, National Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti, head of BNPB Willem Rampangilei, Central Kalimantan provincial administration official Hadi Prabowo and Pulang Pisang district head Edy Pratowo.
President Joko Widodo said it was decided in the meeting that a canal would be built to overcome the fires on the 1,900 hectare peat land in Pulau Pisang.
"If the situation is as serious as this, concrete action must be taken," he said.
He said peat land is very vulnerable to fire and therefore, a canal must be built to stop the fire.
"Just five minutes after I entered (the peat land), a fire broke out. The fires are being triggered by something burning underneath the ground. So the key to overcome it is (constructing a) canal," he said. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
