To Tackle Karhutla, Dudung: The President Says Don’t Wait for Rain

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has instructed all officials not to wait for rain to extinguish forest and land fires (karhutla).

This statement was made by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Dudung Abdurachman following a limited meeting at the Palace in Jakarta on Monday (19/10/2026).

"The President also emphasized that we should not wait for rain, but take action immediately," Dudung said after the meeting.

During the meeting, Dudung noted that Prabowo was very firm in insisting on a maximum response to the karhutla issue.

"He was very stern in his message to us that this matter must be handled with utmost diligence," he remarked.

Dudung also mentioned that Prabowo called for a truly massive response to the karhutla situation.

The President has also ordered the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, General Agus Subiyanto, to implement extinguishing measures using dry ice.

"This means we are already conducting aerial operations to address the karhutla. Furthermore, I conveyed the President's orders for a more massive deployment of troops and personnel, from TNI, Polri, and the Forestry Service, including the involvement of the community," he said.

According to Dudung, the current karhutla situation is severely affecting conditions, necessitating a substantial response.

"This absolutely must be carried out on a massive scale, measured, and executed promptly. Because it is indeed causing significant disruptions," he added.