Tribratanews.polri.go.id - Palembang. To prevent forest and land fire in South Sumatra, number of stakeholders show their commitment. South Sumatra Regional Police signed MoU with Association of Indonesian Palm Oil Entrepreneurs (GAPKI) of South Sumatra and Association of Indonesian Forest Entrepreneurs (APHI) of the South Sumatra Regional Commission (Komda).
"With the signing of this memorandum of understanding, it is hoped it will increase the awareness of corporations in South Sumatra that preventing forest and land fire is a shared commitment," the Director of Special Crime Investigation of South Sumatra Regional Police, Police Grand Commissioner Anton Setiyawan explained.
He mentioned, to overcome forest and land fire in South Sumatra region, government and private sectors should continue to work together, especially in supporting the readiness of infrastructures and personnel to be deployed at any time. Director of Special Crime Investigation of South Sumatra Regional Police also hopes this can minimize forest and land fires disaster.
"With the MoU between South Sumatra GAPKI and South Sumatra APHI, I see in South Sumatra both GAPKI and APHI are very supportive and helpful in manifesting smoke-free South Sumatra," he explained.
He mentioned in South Sumatra region there are 5 regencies that are prone to fires, they are Musi Banyuasin (Muba), Banyuasin, Ogan Ilir (OI), Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) and Muara Enim.
"We have high expectation this year South Sumatra will be free from forest and land fires disaster and the wheels of community's economy will continue to run even during the Covid-19 pandemic," he explained.
The chairman of Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) of South Sumatra, Alex Sugiarto, said this memorandum of understanding was in line with GAPKI's commitment to preventing land fires.
"Commitment to preventing forest and land fires also shows the effort of palm oil companies to produce palm oil products that are environmentally friendly," he said.
This MoU emphasizes the cooperation between GAPKI and South Sumatra Regional Police to improve security system and law enforcement in plantation companies that are GAPKI members, guided by existing laws and regulations. Oil palm plantation companies are obligated to provide infrastructure to prevent and controll forest and land fires in accordance with Minister of Agriculture Regulation (Permentan) Number 5 Year 2018.
''With this MoU, of course, it can improve cooperation, coordination and communication in preventing forest and land fires, manifestation of professionalism and [good] performance, optimization of consultation, prevention, handling of forest and land fires. We take steps to prevent forest and land fires by forming Fire Care Farmers Group (KTPA) to assist in monitoring and secure the land, routine patrols at the land location in accordance with plantation business licenses," he explained
Chairperson of Indonesian Forest Entrepreneurs Association (APHI) of South Sumatra Iwan Setiawan S.Hut. M.Si said, this MoU shows shared commitment to preventing land fires, one of them is by not clearing or cultivating land using with burning [the land]. So far, his team is committed of being alert with forest fires.
“If there are still companies or corporations that clearing the land by burning it, it is too much, because it is clear there is sanction, clear civil laws and even sanctions in the form of their business licenses being revoked. We play an active role and are members of South Sumatra Smoke Disaster Emergency Task Force, openly collaborating with multi-stakeholders, starting from prevention, mitigation and others. Many activities have been carried out and have been audited by the Environment & Forestry Service on the readiness of equipment and human resources for each company. Support for TMC (weather modification technology) with artificial rain for South Sumatra and Jambi regions, collaboration of KLHK (Ministry of Environment and Forestry), BPPT (Agency for the Assessment and Aplication of Technology) and our members, APP Sinar Mas partners,'' he concluded.
