Indonesia holds high-level meeting to tackle forest fire risks

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Djamari Chaniago, held a coordination meeting in Jakarta on September 7, 2026, to address the escalation of forest and land fires (karhutla) across Indonesia. The meeting involved the government and 358 companies holding land use rights (HGU) and forest utilization permits.

High-ranking officials in attendance included the Commander of the TNI, the Chief of Police, the Attorney General, the Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), and ministers from Forestry, Agrarian Affairs, and Environment. The National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) were also represented.

During a press conference following the closed-door session, Chaniago warned that the El Nino phenomenon has not yet reached its peak, meaning the threat of forest and land fires remains high. While current fire levels are reportedly lower than in previous years, the ongoing El Nino period is expected to sustain high risks for land fires.