Muba Receives IDR 20 Billion Presidential Assistance for Forest and Land Fires, This is the Priority for Use

MUSI BANYUASIN, GARISBUMI.com – Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra (Sumsel), received Presidential Assistance amounting to IDR 20 billion to strengthen the prevention and control of forest, plantation and land fires or karhutbunlah.

These funds can be used for extinguishing operations, protecting residents' health, rescuing wild animals, procuring equipment, and restoring peat ecosystems after fires.

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian explained the use of aid referring to Circular Letter Number 300.2.8/6460/SJ concerning the use of central government assistance and financial assistance from other regional governments.

The budget must be directed to meet real needs in handling fires in the field.

"Usages include ground fire operations and peat injection methods on peatlands that are still burning and causing smoke," said Tito in a statement published by the Musi Banyuasin Regency Government, Monday (21/9/2026).

This operational support includes vehicle fuel, logistics, food and drink, increasing endurance, as well as mobilizing personnel to handle forest and land fires.

Protect Residents from Smog

Assistance is not only intended for fire extinguishing operations. The government also directs its use to protect the public from the effects of smoke haze.

Funds can be used for refugee post operations, logistics distribution, evacuation of residents, health preparedness, as well as free medical services for people experiencing acute respiratory infections or ISPA.

Health support can be provided in the form of masks, vitamins, medicines and portable oxygen.

"Aid also includes rescuing wild animals affected by the fires," said Tito.

Regional governments can also use the budget to strengthen facilities and infrastructure for handling forest and land fires. The needs include personal protective equipment, water pumps, sling pumps, water tanks, hoses, drilled wells, fire vehicles, dirt bikes and excavator rental.

Incentives can be given to fire extinguishers in amounts determined by regional heads based on the principles of decency, fairness, rationality and effectiveness.

Logistical support can also be distributed to communities involved in extinguishing, including the Fire Concern Community and volunteers.

Once the fire is extinguished, aid can be used to restore the burned peat ecosystem and deal with the subsequent impacts of the fire.

Requested Use Immediately

Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the assistance was a form of the central government's attention to tackling forest and land fires in the regions.

"This is a form of attention from the President, a leader who is very present in our midst. He has held direct coordination meetings, but also provided special assistance for dealing with forest and land fires," said Raja Juli.

According to him, Banpres is additional support outside of the forest and land fires management budget which is available through the National Disaster Management Agency, ministries and institutions, TNI-Polri, as well as regional governments through the APBD.

Raja Juli asked that the funds be used immediately to strengthen fire management and protect public health.

"I ask that this can be disbursed as soon as possible to tackle forest and land fires, buy equipment, or prevent health impacts and so on," he said.

Must be transparent and on target

Musi Banyuasin Regent Toha Tohet said Banpres would increase regional strength in dealing with the threat of forest, plantation and land fires.

"This support will strengthen our efforts to prevent and handle forest and land fires," said Toha.

According to him, handling fires requires joint work between local governments, TNI-Polri, BPBD, the business world, volunteers and the community.

The Musi Banyuasin Regency Government continues to increase personnel preparedness, patrol vulnerable areas, monitor Hotspots, cross-sector coordination, and educate people so that people do not clear land by burning.

Banpres funds will be used in accordance with technical provisions and instructions, including to meet fire management needs and strengthen facilities and infrastructure.

"Management of aid must be carried out in a transparent, accountable and targeted manner. We want this support to really benefit from strengthening the handling of forest and land fires and protecting the people of Muba," stressed Toha.