inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto reiterated the prohibition against anyone clearing land by burning and asked authorities to strengthen education and law enforcement to prevent wildfire.
"You have to explain that burning land is strictly prohibited," the President said while leading a limited meeting on forest and land fire management at the Riau Province Aju Command Post in Pekanbaru City on Monday (8/24/2026).
Prabowo requested that all officials educate communities at the village level about the prohibition on land burning and its potential impacts. He said these efforts are necessary to prevent people from intentionally burning for any reason.
The President said that communities needing land clearing can report their needs to the village head, sub-district head, or regent. The government will then assist the land clearing process through the proper mechanism.
"If they need to clear land, they can report to the village head, sub-district head, or regent, and the government will then assist them," the President said.
According to the President, the Indonesian National Military (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (INP) need to assist local governments in providing assistance to communities. Land clearing can be organized through farmer groups, while financing can be done through cooperative People's Business Credit (KUR).
"The TNI and the INP will assist local governments and the people. They will be organized, each farmer group will be organized, and the funding can be provided through cooperative KUR," said Prabowo.
In addition to prohibiting the land clearing by burning, the President asked authorities to take firm action against corporations directing land burning. He asked the police, the Prosecutor's Office, and intelligence agencies to investigate any indication of corporate involvement.
"Especially if there is involvement from corporations. I ask the Police, the Prosecutor's Office to investigate. Intelligence agencies to immediately launch the investigation. If there are indications, report them immediately, and we will immediately revoke their permit," said the President.
The President even emphasized that the government will revoke all corporate permits if any indication of involvement in land burning is found. He asked the police to play a crucial role in law enforcement against perpetrators of arson.
In addition to strengthening education and law enforcement, the President instructed his staff to take early action against any hotspots to prevent them from developing into fires. He asked the authorities to immediately visit the hotspot location and prepare water sources, including by building drilled wells.
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