Indonesian Govt Responds to Cross-Border Impact of Kalimantan Fires

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has communicated with neighboring countries regarding the impact of forest and land fires on the island of Kalimantan.

Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, said the communication was carried out both formally and informally. “There is communication with the affected countries, conducted formally through the Minister of Foreign Affairs,” he said in Jakarta on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

He noted that the issue is a matter of serious concern because its impact is felt not only by local communities but also by neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.

“That is why we are striving to extinguish the fires as quickly as possible,” he said.

The Indonesian government is making every effort to tackle the fires by deploying various resources. One measure involves deploying three Indonesian Military battalions, totaling approximately 1,500 personnel, from outside Kalimantan.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the additional personnel strengthen ground operations. “They were brought in between Saturday, August 22, and Sunday morning to reinforce the teams already working to extinguish the fires.”

He added that aerial operations would also be bolstered by the addition of six large water‑bombing helicopters. The government will also increase the frequency of weather modification operations (OMC). Specific attention is being directed toward peatland areas, which present distinct fire characteristics.

“We’re adding pumps and boreholes to suppress hotspots. The President has instructed us to strengthen operations with more personnel and water‑bombing helicopters, as well as weather modification,” Teddy said.

President Prabowo Subianto personally inspected forest and land fire response efforts in Limbung Village, Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan, on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

The Head of State observed joint firefighting operations to ensure hotspots were being suppressed optimally. He also held coordination meetings in Pontianak and Palangka Raya. (Misni Parjiati)