PALMOILMAGAZINE, PEKANBARU — In response to the surge in forest and land fires (karhutla) in Riau Province, Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH), Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, conducted a working visit and led cross-sectoral coordination efforts in the affected areas on Wednesday (30/7/2025).
The rapid response involved close collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the Riau Provincial Government, and district/municipal administrations. Together, they are formulating a joint strategy to address the fires that increasingly threaten air quality and peatland ecosystems.
Minister Hanif placed particular emphasis on the active role of businesses in tackling karhutla. He underscored that corporate responsibility in this matter is no longer merely a form of social concern, but an inherent obligation tied to their concession permits.
“In the midst of the climate crisis and worsening air quality due to land fires, business involvement is no longer voluntary social participation — it is a full-fledged responsibility,” Hanif asserted in an official statement, quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com on Monday (4/8/2025).
Major companies such as PT Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper (RAPP), Sinar Mas Group, Pertamina Hulu Rokan, and PTPN IV Regional III have been mobilized to participate in fire suppression efforts. Minister Hanif directly coordinated their actions to ensure integrated and effective operations.
He stressed the need to shift from reactive measures — waiting until fires grow — to proactive mitigation. Prevention, he said, is the most effective and responsible approach.
“Businesses must be on the front line — not only as economic actors but also as environmental stewards. We cannot wait for the flames to spread before taking action,” Hanif emphasized.
Concrete measures are already underway. RAPP and Sinar Mas Group have installed no-burning signs in fire-prone areas, activated Masyarakat Peduli Api (Community Fire Awareness) programs, and deployed water bombing helicopters for early suppression. In Rokan Hulu, ground patrols and community-based monitoring have been reinforced.
Pertamina Hulu Rokan will begin constructing canal blocks within the next week to maintain peatland moisture as an early prevention measure. The three companies have also agreed to form a Special Firefighting Team to coordinate rapid, integrated emergency responses in the field.
From the government side, KLH/BPLH is supporting the effort by deploying additional personnel, supplying fire hotspot monitoring equipment, and strengthening field logistics. Minister Hanif instructed companies to enhance preparedness in all high-risk locations immediately.
Recent hotspot data from the Sipongi platform (all satellites) as of 26 July 2025 at 00:00–06:46 WIB showed zero hotspots in the high category and 24 in the medium category — spread across Pelalawan (12), Bengkalis (6), Dumai (4), and Rokan Hilir (2). This indicates that the early detection system is functioning effectively, with all reports promptly addressed by joint field teams.
“I do not want to see a single concession area burn without a swift response. Every company must activate early warning systems and work hand in hand with communities and the government. If any party is negligent, we will take firm action,” Hanif warned.
He closed his remarks by stressing that tangible collaboration and strong cross-sector commitment are the only ways to break the recurring cycle of karhutla.
“Protecting the environment is not only a legal mandate — it is a matter of safeguarding lives, sustaining the economy, and upholding the nation’s dignity in the eyes of the world,” he concluded. (P2)
