Inp.polri.go.id - Palembang. The South Sumatra Regional Police have ramped up ground patrols by deploying community police, known locally as Bhabinkamtibmas,  in fire-prone areas to prevent forest and land fires during the dry season.

“Locals often burn vegetation to clear land for farming or plantations. In this drought, such practices are illegal and could trigger hazardous fires. We’re tightening supervision to prevent haze-related disasters,” said Senior Superintendent Nandang Mukmin, the South Sumatra Regional Police Head of Public Relations, on Thursday (31/7/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

Officers are also intensifying public outreach to enforce the ban on open burning for any purpose during the dry season.

Authorities warn that deliberate burning can severely disrupt public activities, air travel, and health.

Offenders, be it individuals or companies, will be prosecuted under existing laws, facing up to 10 years in prison and billions in rupiah in fines.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)