President Prabowo to Inspect Wildfire Response Operations in Sumatra

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to inspect wildfire response operations in Sumatra following his visits to fire-affected areas in West and Central Kalimantan, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said on Monday.

Hadi said the planned visit reflected President Prabowo’s commitment to ensuring effective government protection for communities affected by wildfires and hazardous haze.

According to Hadi, the President will begin his Sumatra visit in Riau Province, where he will assess efforts to contain fires and ensure that response measures are implemented swiftly, effectively and in a coordinated manner.

Regarding the wildfire situation in Kalimantan, Hadi said President Prabowo had directed authorities to maximize response efforts after chairing coordination meetings in Kubu Raya and Palangka Raya.

The President has ordered intensified firefighting operations, including the deployment of additional water-bombing aircraft, increased personnel from various agencies and expanded health facilities for residents affected by the fires and haze.

Prabowo has also pledged full government support for law enforcement agencies investigating several corporations suspected of causing wildfires through land burning, Hadi said.

“The focus of responses will now be expanded to Sumatra, particularly Riau, Jambi and South Sumatra Provinces,” Hadi said.

Data from the Forestry Ministry showed that 2,894 hotspots had been detected across 10 provinces in Sumatra, covering an estimated 36,000 hectares. The highest number of hotspots was recorded in South Sumatra, followed by Riau and Jambi.

South Sumatra accounted for 1,410 hotspots, while Riau recorded 480 and Jambi 425, according to ministry data cited by Hadi.

The Indonesian government is deploying all available resources to tackle the fires, including ground-based firefighting operations, aerial water-bombing missions and weather modification measures.

Authorities are also taking steps to protect communities from the health impacts of wildfire haze while working to prevent the emergence of new hotspots.

Hadi said officials were repeatedly rewetting highly combustible areas, particularly peatlands, to reduce the risk of further fires and prevent the haze situation from worsening.

The government has emphasized coordinated action among relevant agencies as wildfire response operations are expanded across Sumatra.