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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Elections & Politics

Kalimantan forest fires disrupt residents' economy: Minister

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Forest and land fires in Kalimantan are disrupting the local economy, according to Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto.
  • The government is prioritizing efforts to combat these fires, especially with the onset of the dry El Nino phenomenon.
  • Over 12,880 joint personnel have been deployed in Kalimantan, with measures like drilling wells to secure water sources.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that forest and land fires (karhutla) in Kalimantan are significantly disrupting the economy of affected residents. The fires impede economic activities and necessitate substantial resources for mitigation efforts.

"Yes, of course, the economic impact in the region is felt because economic activities are disrupted. Plus, there needs to be a response to these forest and land fires," Hartarto said in Jakarta.

Yes, of course, the economic impact in the region is felt because economic activities are disrupted. Plus, there needs to be a response to these forest and land fires.

— Airlangga HartartoExplaining the economic impact of forest and land fires.

The Indonesian government is currently focused on combating the fires, particularly as the nation enters the El Nino phenomenon, which increases the risk of fires due to drier conditions. "We are currently fighting forest and land fires because we have entered the El Nino period. So, there are several things that must be resolved," he added.

To address the crisis, the government has deployed 12,880 joint personnel to the Kalimantan region. Additionally, efforts are underway to increase water sources through the construction and activation of water wells in several priority areas.

We are currently fighting forest and land fires because we have entered the El Nino period. So, there are several things that must be resolved.

— Airlangga HartartoDescribing the government's focus amid the El Nino phenomenon.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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