"Land fires are not only the government's responsibility. Business actors, especially those managing land on a large scale, have the same responsibility in maintaining environmental and community safety," Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofqi noted in a statement received here on Sunday.
Speaking at the Consolidation of Preparedness of Personnel and Equipment for Land Fire Control in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Saturday (May 24), the minister emphasized the importance of joint action in dealing with the risk of land fires that continue to threaten vulnerable areas in Indonesia, especially ahead of the dry season.
He highlighted that nationally, during the period from January 1 to May 22, 2025, some 179 land fire incidents occurred in several provinces, including Aceh, North Sumatra, Riau, Riau Islands, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and East Kalimantan.
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Although the number is lower than during the same period last year, the figure still serves as a warning for all parties to remain vigilant and proactive to face the upcoming dry season.
Nurofqi expressed hope that the active involvement of 146 member companies of the Indonesian Palm Oil Entrepreneurs Association (Gapki) and 317 other companies in the southern Sumatra region would strengthen efforts to prevent land fires in order to support the target of zero land fire incidents nationally.
"Support is needed from agencies, institutions, and the community for large-scale strategic efforts, such as joint patrols, weather modification operations, and extinguishing, if an emergency occurs," the minister remarked.
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Translator: Katriana
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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