MUI Expresses Concern Over Forest Fires, Suggests Prabowo Provide Greater Attention

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has expressed deep concern over the forest and land fires (Karhutla) that have affected several regions in Indonesia.

In a statement regarding the forest and land fire disaster in Indonesia, Number Kep-112/DP-MUI/X/2026, sent by MUI Secretary General Amirsyah Tambunan to Kompas.com on Monday (19/10/2026), the MUI has urged President Prabowo Subianto to give greater attention to the issue.

"Given that the current situation of forest and land fires is at an emergency level, we advise the honorable President (Prabowo Subianto) to provide even greater attention until the fire issue can be fully resolved," wrote the statement, which was signed by MUI Deputy Chair Cholil Nafis and Secretary General Amirsyah Tambunan.

In addition to urging Prabowo to increase his focus, the MUI also called on all central and regional government officials, the military, police, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), and volunteers to work collaboratively and mobilize all resources to expedite fire extinguishing efforts.

From a law enforcement perspective, the MUI has requested law enforcement agencies to take firm, fair, and impartial action against those responsible for the forest fires.

According to the MUI, the actions of these perpetrators have caused significant damage and threaten human survival, contradicting religious principles.

"MUI (also) encourages all layers of society in affected areas to enhance their awareness, maintain the health of themselves and their families, including wearing masks when engaging in outdoor activities, and to avoid high-risk areas.

Furthermore, the MUI invites all Muslims to perform the istiqa' prayer to ask Allah SWT for rain that brings blessings and mercy.

Lastly, the MUI encourages all Muslims to repent, including for actions that damage nature and the environment, and to seek protection from the dangers of smoke haze and drought disasters.

For your information, Indonesia has been facing the forest and land fire disaster for the past three months.

This disaster has had various impacts spanning health, aviation, and economic losses.

According to Kompas.com, the forest and land fires have resulted in 283,270 cases of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in the affected areas from August 18 to October 13, 2026.

The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at the International Islamic University of Indonesia (UIII), Teguh Yudo Wicaksono, assessed that the economic losses due to the fires reached Rp 167 trillion.

“This estimate is based on a study using data and calculation methods derived from World Bank studies, not the official loss figures published by the government,” Teguh stated on Friday (16/10/2026).

Based on these calculations, the Rp 167 trillion loss is equivalent to about 0.65 percent of Indonesia's nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2026.

The forest and land fires have also impacted 2,458 domestic scheduled flights from August 11 to October 17, 2026.