Forestry Minister warns against land clearing by burning in South Sumatra

Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has issued a warning to corporations and local communities to cease land clearing through burning. During a working visit to Palembang, the Minister emphasized that while burning is often used as a cheap method for land clearing, it poses significant risks to public health and exacerbates forest and land fires in South Sumatra.

According to weather predictions from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the risk of forest and land fires in the region is expected to persist through late October or November 2026, as natural rainfall is not anticipated until the end of the year.

To support disaster management, the central government has allocated presidential assistance funds to the South Sumatra Provincial Government and three high-risk regencies. The funding includes Rp 30 billion for the provincial government, Rp 20 billion for Ogan Komering Ilir, Rp 20 billion for Musi Banyuasin, and Rp 15 billion for Banyuasin.