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PP Muhammadiyah Demands Business Sector Responsibility for Karhutla Disasters

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A child rides a bicycle on Jalan Orang Kayo Hitam, enveloped in smoke from forest and land fires (Karhutla) in the Simpang area of Berbak, Tanjung Jabung Timur, Jambi, on Friday (16/10/2026). Smoke from Karhutla has been observed to thicken in several cities/districts in Jambi Province over the past few days, especially in the Berbak sub-district, which is directly adjacent to the fire source in Berbak Sembilang National Park (TNBS) and Orang Kayo Hitam Recreational Forest (OKH). Air quality monitoring from the Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) station indicated that the air quality in Tanjung Jabung Timur reached 331 on Friday (16/10), categorizing it as hazardous.(ANTARA FOTO/Wahdi Septiawan)

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Chairman of the Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah (PP Muhammadiyah), Haedar Nashir, has demanded that the business sector take responsibility for the forest and land fires (Karhutla) that have been occurring in various regions across Indonesia.

In Statement No. 87/PER/I.0/H/2026, Haedar explicitly urged all business actors to conduct economic activities ethically and prevent fires in areas under each company's responsibility.

"Environmental compliance must be manifested in concrete actions and should not be limited to administrative fulfillment or corporate social activities," Haedar stated in his remarks on Tuesday (20/10/2026).

"Business actors proven to be responsible must bear legal consequences and undertake recovery for the damage and losses in accordance with applicable regulations," he continued.

In addition to highlighting the responsibilities of the business sector, Haedar stressed the importance of restoring the livelihoods of communities and the environment following the Karhutla disasters.

He called on the government to ensure continued support and recovery for affected communities, covering health, education, and sources of livelihood.

Haedar mentioned that the restoration of forests and land must be carried out earnestly to prevent damage from being passed on to future generations.

"Local communities and small farmers need protection and assistance to manage land sustainably without burning. Recovery policies must be just and involve the affected communities," he asserted.

In addition to this statement, Haedar also raised concerns about the government's seriousness in handling Karhutla, including necessary improvements in prevention and strict law enforcement without discrimination.

He also urged for strengthening community responsibility and solidarity, as well as activating Muhammadiyah's tangible efforts to provide services to Karhutla victims.

"Muhammadiyah asserts that Karhutla should not be normalized as an annual disaster that continually burdens the people," he said.

"The seriousness of the government, authorities, and the business sector must be demonstrated through tangible actions to ensure the protection of communities, address violations, recover damages, and prevent fires from recurring," he concluded.