Menko PMK Sugiono memimpin Rapat Koordinasi Pembaruan Informasi Cuaca dan Penguatan Patroli Darat dalam Penanganan Karhutla secara daring, Kamis (29/10/2026). (Foto: Kemenko PMK)
JAKARTA — The government continues to step up its response to forest and land fires (karhutla). Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Sugiono has ordered stronger ground patrols and comprehensive provision of mitigation equipment, following up on President Prabowo Subianto’s directive.
Sugiono gave the instruction while chairing an online Coordination Meeting on Weather Information Updates and Strengthening Ground Patrols in Handling Forest and Land Fires on Thursday, 29 October 2026, together with relevant ministers and agency heads.
Not Just an Environmental Issue
Sugiono stressed that the impact of the fires now extends far beyond environmental damage, threatening people’s health and even their lives.
“This is a lesson for us: the forest and land fires are not merely an ecological issue, they have cost people their health and even their lives.”
Sugiono, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture
The President’s Message: Don’t Just Wait for Rain
Sugiono reaffirmed the President’s instruction that all disaster-response personnel and regional governments act proactively and mobilize every effort, rather than relying on the weather alone.
“The President said we should not simply hope for rain to fall; more than that, we must use all our abilities, our minds and our strength to anticipate the impact should we face a similar event again,” Sugiono said.
Patrols Stepped Up to Catch Arsonists
Sugiono highlighted new hotspots appearing even as firefighting is under way. He therefore ordered faster provision of monitoring equipment and tighter field supervision, especially in priority provinces, to stop deliberate land burning.
“Patrols need to be strengthened, because while we are trying to put out the fires, new hotspots are appearing. Stepping up patrols is therefore very important, especially in priority provinces, to anticipate those who deliberately set fires,” he explained.
Regions Told to Prepare for Floods and Landslides
The meeting also mapped potential hydrometeorological disasters such as floods and landslides as the weather changes. Regional governments were asked to promptly list the equipment they need, clear rivers still blocked by material from earlier floods, and repair drainage channels.
“Immediately take stock of the equipment needed to mitigate possible floods and landslides. These needs can be submitted directly to BNPB or the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture,” Sugiono concluded.
Through this integrated consolidation, the government is ensuring that cross-sector coordination keeps getting stronger to speed up the fire response and improve regional preparedness for natural disasters.
Summarized from the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (in Indonesian).
