"Mr President is committed to providing access to modern technology that is more efficient and environmentally friendly," Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan said in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday.
Gunawan said President Prabowo issued the instruction considering the community's need for land for economic activities and a solution to community land clearing by avoiding forest fires.
Gunawan explained that the instruction will be followed up with a program that includes the provision of heavy equipment, environmentally friendly land clearing technology, and technical assistance from relevant ministries.
The technology assistance program will be rolled out in stages in areas prone to forest and land fires, particularly in West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan, he said.
"The government will also provide assistance to farmers and business actors on sustainable land clearing methods," he added.
Related news: President issues instruction to address land, forest fires: Official
Previously, President Prabowo chaired a limited meeting in Bogor District, West Java, on Friday, August 1.
During the meeting, the head of state instructed his ministers to anticipate forest and land fires, which frequently occur during the dry season.
The meeting was attended by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, and the President's Chief Personal Secretary Rizky Irmansyah, who were present in person.
Ministers who also participated via video teleconference were Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono, and Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto.
Also present were Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, Minister of Investment and Downstream Development and CEO of Danantara Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, and Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Didit Herdiawan.
Related news: Minister signals zero tolerance for burning in W Kalimantan
Translator: Arie Novarina
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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