Dudung: Don’t Be Fooled by the Issue That the Government Is Not Addressing Forest Fires

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Dudung Abdurachman emphasized that the government is not silent regarding the forest and land fire (karhutla) situation in Indonesia.

"Don't fall for the issues that suggest we are doing nothing," Dudung said at the Presidential Complex in Central Jakarta on Monday (19/10/2026).

Dudung urged the public not to be easily swayed by claims that the government is indifferent to the karhutla conditions.

As the Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs, Dudung stated that managing the karhutla situation is not an easy task.

"Handling this situation, especially concerning peatland, is quite challenging. We entrust this to all of us," he remarked.

Dudung stressed that the government has been making maximum efforts, including deploying military personnel from TNI, police, and other agencies to combat the karhutla extensively.

Massive Troop Deployment to Address Karhutla

According to him, President Prabowo Subianto has also stated that the management of karhutla needs to be truly comprehensive.

Prabowo has also directed TNI Commander Agus Subiyanto to conduct firefighting operations using dry ice.

"The TNI Commander has been instructed to use dry ice, which is currently being deployed using Cassa aircraft, and it has been ordered to use Hercules. This signifies that aerial operations are already underway for karhutla management," he said.

In addition, Dudung mentioned that President Prabowo wants the deployment of troops, officers, including TNI, police, forestry services, and involved communities, to be even more expansive.

"This must truly be executed on a massive scale, precisely, and immediately, as it has indeed become quite disruptive," he concluded.