Calls for Karhutla to Be Classified as a National Disaster, Sugiono: Government Efforts Are National in Nature

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Sugiono emphasized that the government has undertaken various national efforts to address forest and land fires (karhutla) in several Indonesian provinces.

This statement was made by Sugiono in response to inquiries regarding the growing calls to declare the status of karhutla as a national disaster.

"So, regardless of the status, I think the efforts we are making are indeed of a national nature," Sugiono asserted at the Coordinating Ministry for PMK office in Jakarta on Thursday (22/10/2026).

Sugiono explained that the government has implemented massive efforts, particularly in areas affected by karhutla.

Firefighting efforts, both on the ground and from the air, are being continuously carried out by the government.

"Ground task forces have been deployed, and aerial operations are also underway, and I believe this is a centralized effort," he said.

Additionally, the central government has provided assistance to local governments impacted by karhutla in several phases.

The first phase of assistance from the central government was dispatched on September 7, 2026, for South Sumatra, Jambi, Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, and Riau.

The second phase of aid was sent by the central government to local authorities today.

"As I mentioned earlier, the central government has also provided assistance to provincial and district governments affected by this situation," he noted.

Furthermore, President Prabowo Subianto has reportedly been closely monitoring the handling of karhutla during each limited meeting.

"As the President has stated in several restricted meetings regarding karhutla, he has mentioned that whatever measures we need to take, we will, of course, with the budget also focused on addressing this issue, we will strive as much as possible to resolve the situation we are currently facing," he said.

Therefore, he believes that the government's response to karhutla is not slow.

He pointed out that karhutla is influenced by many other factors, such as the El Niño phenomenon.

"I think the government is not slow. There are many factors causing this situation to persist," he remarked.

Previously, many parties have urged the government to promptly declare karhutla as a national disaster.

Among them, Daniel Johan, a member of the House of Representatives' Commission IV, stated that such a declaration is necessary since karhutla continues to occur in various regions.

According to Daniel, the conditions and impacts of karhutla are considered emergency-level.

“Declare the status of karhutla as a national disaster; this is a necessary step for the government to take right now. This way, the budget can be maximally allocated to address this disaster,” Daniel said while speaking to reporters on Tuesday (13/10/2026).