Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Prabowo Subianto expressed hope that Indonesia could bring forest and land fires in several regions under control within two weeks as central and regional institutions continue strengthening hotspot prevention and firefighting efforts.
“I believe the situation is beginning to come under control; the problem is being mitigated. I hope that all the fires raging in several places will have been completely extinguished within one to two weeks,” he remarked during the launch of the 100 GW solar power program.
In a livestreamed speech from Jembrana District, Bali, on Tuesday, Prabowo pointed out that the world is currently experiencing the impacts of El Niño, noting that the global climate phenomenon has brought a more severe dry season to Indonesia this year.
Highlighting his recent firsthand inspections of wildfire response efforts in Kalimantan and Sumatra, the president expressed appreciation for the concerted efforts of multiple ministries, agencies, regional governments, the police, and the military.
“All institutions are working effectively,” Prabowo added.
He elaborated that authorities had mobilized adequate equipment and personnel to prevent and combat wildfires in various regions, including dozens of helicopters and aircraft for water-bombing operations as well as the construction of boreholes to secure water supplies.
He emphasized that thousands of joint personnel had been deployed to prevent and suppress wildfires across many parts of the country.
“I am proud of the progress made by our personnel on the ground,” he said. “We are strong and capable of overcoming obstacles and challenges.”
In that context, the president also recalled the government’s swift response to disasters in Sumatra last November and the ongoing relief operations in East Nusa Tenggara following the deadly magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Flores on Aug. 15.
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Translator: P.T. Violleta, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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