Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto has expressed hope that his country can bring the forest and land fires in several regions under control within two weeks as the central and regional institutions continue strengthening hotspot prevention and firefighting efforts.
“I believe the situation is beginning to come under control; the problem is being mitigated. I hope that all the fires raging in several places will have been completely extinguished within one to two weeks,” he remarked during the launch of the 100 GW solar power program.
In a livestreamed speech from Jembrana District, Bali, on Tuesday, Prabowo pointed out that the world is currently experiencing the impacts of El Niño, noting that the global climate phenomenon has brought a more severe dry season to Indonesia this year.
Highlighting his recent firsthand inspections of wildfire response efforts in Kalimantan and Sumatra, the president expressed appreciation for the concerted efforts of multiple ministries, agencies, regional governments, the police, and the military.
“All institutions are working effectively,” Prabowo added.
He elaborated that authorities had mobilised adequate equipment and personnel to prevent and combat wildfires in various regions, including dozens of helicopters and aircraft for water-bombing operations as well as the construction of boreholes to secure water supplies.
He emphasised that thousands of joint personnel had been deployed to prevent and suppress wildfires across many parts of the country.
