Jakarta (ANTARA) – The government has disbursed Rp240 billion (around US$13.2 million) in presidential assistance to authorities in West Kalimantan to strengthen efforts to contain forest and land fires, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said.
In a statement cited in Jakarta on Friday, he said the funds were distributed in two phases, with Rp200 billion allocated to the West Kalimantan provincial government and 10 district and municipal administrations.
“In the first phase, Rp200 billion has been transferred directly to Governor [Ria Norsan] and a number of district heads,” Antoni remarked.
He further said that the central government had sought President Prabowo Subianto’s approval for additional funding to support regions not covered in the first phase.
The proposal took into account the varying severity of wildfire impacts across affected regions, he added.
The president subsequently approved additional assistance for four more districts in West Kalimantan: Mempawah, Landak, Sekadau, and Sanggau.
“The funds were transferred to their respective bank accounts two days ago. Therefore, the presidential assistance for wildfire containment amounts to Rp240 billion in total,” the minister remarked.
Antoni also urged regional governments to make the most of the assistance by directing it toward strengthening wildfire mitigation efforts.
“It is important that district heads utilize the assistance to the fullest extent and in accordance with its intended purpose, as outlined in a circular issued by Home Affairs Minister [Tito Karnavian],” he stated.
The funds distributed under the presidential assistance program will be managed independently by regional governments and are separate from wildfire support provided by central government agencies, which includes weather modification and water-bombing operations.
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Translator: A.N. Zhafira, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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