Strategic Shift: President Prabowo Mandates Revision of Local Regulations Allowing Slash-and-Burn Practices

JAKARTA – In a decisive move aimed at curbing the perennial environmental crisis of forest and land fires (karhutla), President Prabowo Subianto has issued a formal directive to revise regional regulations (Peraturan Daerah/Perda) that historically permitted land clearing through burning. The move signals a major shift in the Indonesian government’s environmental policy, moving away from the traditional acceptance of "local wisdom" towards a modernized, mechanized approach to land management.

The directive was solidified during a high-level coordination meeting held in Central Kalimantan, a province frequently identified as a hotspot for seasonal haze. By targeting the legal loopholes that have allowed slash-and-burn practices to persist under the guise of cultural necessity, the administration is signaling a zero-tolerance policy toward environmental degradation.

Main Facts: A Paradigm Shift in Land Clearing Policy

The core of the government’s new policy is the systematic dismantling of legal frameworks that provide cover for burning practices. During his visit to Tjilik Riwut Airport in Central Kalimantan on Saturday, August 22, 2026, Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi clarified that while certain local ordinances in provinces like West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan technically permitted burning, the central government is now mandating an immediate review and adjustment of these laws.

"There are indeed regional regulations that, in some contexts, allow for land clearing by burning, citing local wisdom," Prasetyo Hadi stated. "However, the President has made it clear: these regulations must be revised. We are shifting the paradigm from ‘allowing with conditions’ to ‘prohibiting entirely,’ supported by tangible government intervention."

The administration is not merely banning the practice; it is providing a state-sponsored alternative. President Prabowo has committed to the deployment of heavy machinery, specifically excavators, to assist local farmers and communities in land preparation. This move is intended to eliminate the economic necessity for farmers to use fire, which has historically been the cheapest, albeit most destructive, method of clearing land.

Chronology of the Policy Evolution

The push for a total ban on burning has been gaining momentum throughout 2026, culminating in a series of administrative actions that define the current stance of the Prabowo administration:

• Early August 2026: The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLH) begins an audit of provincial regulations across Kalimantan and Sumatra to identify legislative gaps that conflict with national climate and environmental preservation targets.
• August 21, 2026: Minister of Environment Jumhur Hidayat issues Circular Letter (SE) Number 16 of 2026, officially and strictly prohibiting the clearing of land through burning. This document serves as the legal backbone for the upcoming enforcement actions.
• August 22, 2026: During a security and disaster mitigation meeting in Central Kalimantan, President Prabowo Subianto formalizes the order to revise all regional regulations that contradict the federal prohibition.
• Immediate Future: The government is expected to begin the deployment of heavy equipment to agricultural hubs, alongside a public awareness campaign to transition local communities to mechanical land clearing methods.

Supporting Data: The Environmental and Economic Stakes

The urgency of this directive is rooted in the catastrophic impact of forest fires on Indonesia’s economy and public health. According to environmental research, the "slash-and-burn" method, while effective for individual smallholders in the short term, leads to uncontrolled wildfires that consume millions of hectares of peatland and forest annually.

The economic costs associated with these fires are staggering. Historical data suggests that haze episodes cost the Indonesian economy billions of dollars annually in lost productivity, healthcare expenditures related to respiratory issues, and the suspension of regional aviation and logistics.

Furthermore, the destruction of peatlands through fire releases massive amounts of sequestered carbon into the atmosphere, making Indonesia a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. The revision of the Perdas is not just a domestic administrative matter; it is a critical component of Indonesia’s international commitments under the Paris Agreement and its pledge to achieve Net Zero emissions. By replacing fire with mechanical clearing, the government aims to stabilize the ecosystem and prevent the massive carbon releases that characterize the fire season.

Official Responses and Ministerial Directives

The Ministry of Environment (KLH) has emerged as the primary enforcement body for this new initiative. Minister Jumhur Hidayat has emphasized that the transition will be supported by both carrots and sticks.

"KLH/BPLH is fully committed to ending the practice of land clearing by burning," Minister Jumhur stated in his press briefing. "The circular letter issued is not a mere suggestion; it is a mandate. We will enforce strict legal sanctions against any parties, individual or corporate, that continue to violate these guidelines."

The government acknowledges that the transition will be difficult for smallholder farmers who lack the capital to rent or purchase heavy machinery. Therefore, the "carrot" is the government’s pledge to provide state-owned equipment. Mensesneg Prasetyo Hadi underscored that this is a logistical and fiscal priority for the Prabowo administration. "The President has decided that there will be a strengthening and addition of heavy equipment to assist the community. We expect that by providing these tools, the reason for burning will effectively disappear," he added.

Implications: A Challenge to Local Autonomy and Traditional Practice

The directive to revise regional regulations touches upon a sensitive intersection between national policy and regional autonomy. Since the implementation of regional autonomy (otonomi daerah) in Indonesia, provincial governments have enjoyed significant leeway in drafting regulations that account for local customs.

The Conflict with "Local Wisdom"

Proponents of traditional burning practices have long argued that small-scale, controlled burning is a form of "local wisdom" (kearifan lokal) used by indigenous communities for generations. However, environmental experts have noted that the scale of current land clearing—driven by both local agriculture and industrial plantations—far exceeds what was historically practiced. The government’s new stance is that "local wisdom" cannot be used as a shield for activities that cause national-scale environmental crises.

The Economic Transition

For the policy to succeed, the logistics of providing heavy equipment must be flawless. The government faces a significant challenge in ensuring that excavators are accessible to remote, rural areas in Kalimantan. If the equipment is not available or is too costly to operate, farmers may revert to burning despite the new legal prohibitions. The success of the policy will depend on:

1. Distribution: The efficient deployment of machinery to high-risk zones.
2. Maintenance: The establishment of local maintenance hubs to keep the machinery operational.
3. Education: Training local farmers in mechanical clearing techniques to ensure they can utilize the equipment effectively.

The Legal Framework and Sanctions

The issuance of SE Number 16/2026 provides a clear legal pathway for the police and environmental investigators to prosecute offenders. By stripping away the protection offered by local regulations, the government has simplified the legal landscape. Any party caught burning land will no longer be able to argue that they were acting within the bounds of a provincial law, as those laws are now being rendered subservient to the national mandate.

Conclusion: A New Era for Environmental Governance

The directive from President Prabowo Subianto represents a pivotal moment in Indonesia’s environmental journey. By mandating the revision of regional regulations and committing state resources to mechanical land clearing, the government is moving toward a more centralized and proactive approach to disaster prevention.

While the challenge of implementation remains significant—particularly in ensuring that the most vulnerable farmers are not left behind—the political will to end the era of slash-and-burn is clearer than ever. As the haze season approaches, the world will be watching to see if this combination of legal reform and technological assistance can finally bring an end to one of the most persistent and destructive practices in the region. The ultimate success of this policy will be measured not by the number of regulations revised, but by the measurable reduction in forest fires and the preservation of Indonesia’s vital peatland ecosystems for generations to come.