Prabowo flies to Kalimantan to lead forest fire response

President Prabowo Subianto has traveled to Kalimantan to personally lead the efforts to combat widespread forest and land fires. His visit underscores the urgency of the situation and the government's commitment to a swift and coordinated response across the affected regions.

Upon arrival, Prabowo issued direct instructions to key officials within the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri). He mandated that these high-ranking officers engage directly with local authorities and communities on the ground in the four most impacted provinces of Kalimantan. This directive emphasizes a hands-on approach, ensuring that national resources are effectively deployed and integrated with local efforts.

To facilitate a comprehensive strategy, President Prabowo has also assigned specific tasks to his subordinates, aiming to streamline the handling of the fires. This division of labor is intended to optimize the response and ensure all critical aspects of fire management are addressed. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported a significant number of hotspots, with 1,487 detected across the Kalimantan region as of Thursday, highlighting the scale of the challenge.

The president's presence and direct leadership in Kalimantan signal a high-priority national concern. The government is mobilizing its resources and personnel to mitigate the environmental and potential health impacts of the fires, which often lead to severe haze affecting neighboring countries.