Indonesia’s forestry association backs presidential ban on land burning to strengthen wildfire prevention

Indonesia’s forestry business association says a new presidential instruction strengthens the country’s efforts to prevent forest and land fires during El Niño conditions.

The Indonesian Forest Entrepreneurs Association, known as APHI, said Presidential Instruction No. 11 of 2026 reinforces the prohibition on clearing land by burning. APHI chair Soewarso said the policy should align the work of government agencies, businesses and other stakeholders in preventing and controlling fires.

The instruction also makes clear that regional policies, permits, administrative decisions or official discretion cannot be interpreted as legalizing forest or land burning in violation of national regulations. APHI supports tighter rules for exceptions based on local customary practices, saying those exceptions must remain limited and proportionate rather than becoming a general justification for burning land.

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During the critical period of facing El Niño, the government’s policy reinforcing the ban on clearing land by burning is an important precondition for ensuring that all parties take a unified approach to preventing and controlling forest and land fires.

“During the critical period of facing El Niño, the government’s policy reinforcing the ban on clearing land by burning is an important precondition for ensuring that all parties take a unified approach to preventing and controlling forest and land fires,” Soewarso said.

APHI said its members already operate fire-prevention and control procedures in their work areas and cooperate with Indonesia’s disaster agency, police, military and firefighting units. The association urged stronger multiparty cooperation through early detection, integrated patrols, rapid response and coordinated suppression. It also said law enforcement should consider conditions on the ground and the prevention efforts made by businesses.

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APHI will continue building dialogue, particularly with local communities, to strengthen unity and collaboration in preventing and controlling forest and land fires at the local level, including raising awareness of the risks of clearing land by burning.