Indonesian Parliament Seeks Tougher Forest Fire Law Enforcement

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Commission XII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) has asked the government to strengthen its early warning system and law enforcement efforts related to forest and land fires. The step is considered crucial to ensure that fire management is proactive rather than reactive.

Deputy Speaker of Commission XII, Dony Maryadi Oekon, said forest and land fire management must distinguish between the causes of fires. Climate‑related fires require extinguishing and mitigation, while deliberate burning must be prosecuted.

“If the fires are climate‑related, the state must extinguish them. But if they are arson, law enforcement must arrest the perpetrators. Dozens of suspects are currently being processed, and these legal steps must continue,” Dony said during a working meeting at the Parliament Building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

Dony noted that the government already has access to weather information and hotspot monitoring through BMKG data. However, he stressed that this information must be followed by an immediate response on the ground.

He believes such action will prevent fires from spreading further. He also emphasized the need for stronger coordination among ministries and agencies in handling forest and land fires.

Dony acknowledged that the Ministry of Environment (KLH) and the Environmental Management Agency (BPLH) do not have sufficient budgets to independently manage forest and land fires. He therefore urged relevant ministries and agencies to provide budgetary support.

“Based on the Ministry of Environment’s current budget, they cannot anticipate forest and land fires on their own. Other ministries and agencies with relevant budgets must work together to resolve this fire problem,” he said.

At the same meeting, Commission XII approved an additional budget of IDR 1.33 trillion for the 2027 KLH/BPLH budget, an increase from the initial ceiling of IDR 1.23 trillion.

The additional funding is expected to strengthen several KLH/BPLH programs, including those addressing disaster risks and climate change impacts. The Disaster Resilience and Climate Change Program received an additional IDR 384.16 billion, bringing its total to IDR 433.5 billion. (Misni Parjiati)