Indonesia’s President Prabowo Issues Presidential Instruction Banning Land Clearing by Burning

Jakarta, MINA – President Prabowo Subianto has issued Presidential Instruction No. 11 of 2026 on Strengthening the Enforcement of the Prohibition on Land Clearing by Burning and the Control of Forest and Land Fires, CNN Indonesia reported.

The instruction, issued on August 31, 2026, mandates all ministries, institutions, and regional heads to enforce the prohibition on land clearing by burning and to prohibit any activities involving forest and/or land burning in accordance with regulations.

The instruction also calls for the enforcement of criminal, civil, and administrative sanctions against those who engage in, order, facilitate, or allow forest and land burning.

The instruction tightens the exceptions for land clearing using local wisdom methods. Such exceptions may only be applied under cumulative conditions, including: a maximum land area of two hectares per household, mandatory firebreaks that are strictly maintained, prohibition of this practice in peat ecosystems and buffer zones within a 500-meter radius, and the exclusion of corporate activities, commercial plantations, mining, or concession holders.

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The instruction also states that the exception based on local wisdom must be implemented strictly and may only proceed after a regional head has lifted the emergency status for forest and land fires in that area—not applicable at all times.

Separately, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo stated that the government has suspended the practice of land burning by local communities, commonly referred to as local wisdom-based burning. “The President has instructed that, as we are currently in an extreme El Niño long dry season, the application of local wisdom-based burning is not to be implemented or is suspended,” Listyo said after a meeting at the Marine Corps Headquarters in Jakarta on Monday (September 7).

Listyo added that any individuals who violate the ban could face criminal, civil, or administrative sanctions. He also noted that his personnel, together with TNI soldiers, are conducting field outreach to educate communities on land clearing regulations. He emphasized that local wisdom-based burning must comply with existing rules, including reporting to the village head, establishing firebreaks, and ensuring oversight.

Regarding enforcement, Listyo mentioned that eight companies are currently being processed in connection with forest and land fire cases in Kalimantan and Sumatra. A total of 200 police reports are under investigation, with 138 suspects named—119 of whom intentionally burned land for clearing, while 18 were proven negligent.[]

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Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)