Minister urges swift use of new funds to boost fire suppression and protect haze-affected communities
Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian called on regional leaders to immediately deploy fresh funding for forest fire mitigation and haze protection.
In a Monday statement, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian urged regional heads to promptly apply new funding for forest and land fire mitigation, stressing public safety and haze mitigation. The latest package adds to a prior presidential aid of Rp480 billion, bringing total assistance to Rp1.24 trillion after an earlier Rp760 billion disbursement on Sept 7. Funds are designated for ground firefighting, peatland water injection, logistics, equipment such as pumps and vehicles, evacuation posts, health alerts, free treatment for haze-related acute respiratory infections, wildlife rescue and peatland restoration.
Circular Letter No. 300.2.8/8481/SJ dated Oct 23 sets guidelines for budgeting, monitoring and reporting of both central and regional contributions. This round allocated Rp110 billion to Central Kalimantan, Rp100 billion to South Sumatra, Rp80 billion to South Kalimantan, Rp70 billion to Riau, and Rp40 billion each to West Kalimantan, Jambi and East Kalimantan. Regions with active emergencies may use contingency funds, while others must channel aid through appropriate agencies.
Why it matters
The funding aims to curb forest fires, reduce hazardous haze and safeguard public health in affected regions.
How this story developed
- Oct 8 Malaysian leaders urge Indonesia to act as haze threatens public health
- Oct 16 President Prabowo appointed army general Kristomei Sianturi to lead BNPB.
- Oct 16 Indonesia formally accepted regional assistance and technical talks on its implementation are underway.
- Oct 19 Malaysia specified that it will provide three helicopters and 52 firefighters to support Indonesia’s fire‑fighting efforts.
- Oct 20 Indonesia’s BNPB and army chief launched a joint firefighting push in Central Kalimantan.
- Oct 22 President Prabowo publicly blamed corporations and pledged to identify them.
- Oct 23 Malaysia said it will raise the haze issue with Indonesia at the upcoming ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting.
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