Forestry Minister Strengthens Fire Management near IKN

RRI.CO.ID, IKN – The Forestry Ministry is strengthening efforts to manage forest and land fires (karhutla) in East Kalimantan, particularly around the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) area, involving the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Indonesian Military (TNI), Indonesian National Police (Polri), Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN), local governments, businesses, and communities. Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the response was being carried out through an integrated operation, including ground and aerial firefighting, to ensure the fires do not approach the government core zone of IKN, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive.

“As President Prabowo Subianto instructed, all of us—the TNI, Polri, BNPB, Ministry of Forestry, OIKN, and the community—are working together to ensure the fires do not enter the IKN core zone,” Raja Juli said while inspecting the fire response operation in the IKN area, East Kalimantan, Monday, September 14, 2026.

He said water bombing operations were continuing to reach fire hotspots that are difficult to tackle from the ground. Weather modification operations are also being prepared in coordination with BNPB and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) to support efforts to control the fires. The Forestry Ministry is also following up on measures against three companies holding Forest Utilization Business Licenses (PBPH) in East Kalimantan whose concession areas have been affected by fires.

The three companies are PT Puji Sempurna Raharja in Berau Regency, which holds a 14,605-hectare natural forest utilization license, with 82.26 hectares affected by fire; PT Diva Perdana Pesona in East Kutai Regency, which holds a 29,429-hectare plantation forest utilization license, with 48.57 hectares affected; and PT Inhutani I Tanah Grogot in Paser Regency, which holds a 15,336-hectare plantation forest utilization license, with approximately 531 hectares affected by fire.

Of the three companies, one has received a written warning and an order to carry out restoration measures, while sanctions in the form of license suspension are being processed against the other two.

“Law enforcement should not only be strict toward ordinary people, but also toward corporations that are obliged to take responsibility for the occurrence of forest and land fires in East Kalimantan,” Raja Juli said.

On the ground, The Forestry Ministry, through the Manggala Agni forest and land fire brigade, together with Forest Management Units (KPH), the TNI, Polri, OIKN, community fire groups, and other stakeholders, continues to conduct firefighting operations and patrols to prevent new hotspots from emerging.

The government is also promoting the implementation of land clearing without burning as part of long-term fire prevention efforts, while strengthening coordination to ensure the availability of resources needed for firefighting, prevention, law enforcement, and ecosystem restoration in East Kalimantan.