Forest fires in Kalimantan prompt calls for Forestry Minister's dismissal

Forest and land fires (karhutla) continue to spread across Kalimantan, leading to significant concerns regarding air quality and public health. Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni addressed the situation during a visit to Sampit, stating that the government is actively working to extinguish fire hotspots and prevent respiratory illnesses caused by smoke.

Minister Raja Juli noted that weather conditions present a major challenge, as natural rainfall in Central Kalimantan is not expected until November. To combat the dry conditions, the government is utilizing weather modification operations (OMC) in coordination with the BMKG and BNPB. However, the effectiveness of this technology is currently limited by a lack of cloud seeds in the atmosphere, a common issue during El Niño periods.

In response to the ongoing crisis, the Indonesian Legal Practitioners and Experts Association (Petisi Ahli) has called for the dismissal of the Forestry Minister. The group argues that the government has failed to adequately manage the recurring seasonal disasters and urged President Prabowo Subianto to evaluate the Minister's performance regarding prevention, early detection, and law enforcement against illegal burning.