Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Prabowo Subianto has instructed that efforts to tackle forest and land fires must focus not only on extinguishing flames but also on protecting local communities and rescuing wildlife, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said.
According to a statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday, Antoni noted that the president’s directive is being implemented through enhanced fire management alongside operations to rescue Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) in West Kalimantan.
“Mr. Prabowo Subianto is personally a wildlife lover. Among his favorite animals are elephants and orangutans. So he also ordered me to put out the fires as quickly as possible,” the minister said.
Speaking after visiting the International Animal Rescue Indonesia in West Kalimantan on Wednesday, Antoni emphasized that the president also highlighted the need to ensure the use of face masks and the readiness of healthcare facilities.
Meanwhile, to safeguard wildlife—including Bornean orangutans—he assured that the Ministry of Forestry and its partners are stepping up patrols and community outreach.
He reminded the public that those who spot orangutans straying from the forest or entering residential areas must immediately contact the call center hotline so professional teams can rescue them.
The minister emphasized that the animals must be released back into the wild as soon as possible to minimize their time in cages and preserve their natural behaviors.
“We need to release them into the wild as soon as possible in areas identified as safe. Several locations have been identified, but we must space them out so they are not all placed together, especially since the males are highly territorial,” he explained.
Forest and land fires have broken out across various regions in Indonesia, including several provinces in Kalimantan and Sumatra, as the country faces a more intense dry season triggered by a strong El Niño phenomenon.
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Translator: Prisca Triferna, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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