Priority must be public safety, wildlife in wildfire fight: lawmaker

Jakarta (ANTARA) - A member of Indonesia's House of Representatives, Selly Andriany Gantina, has urged the government to prioritize public health, safety, and wildlife protection in its ongoing efforts to combat forest and land fires.

Speaking Tuesday, Selly emphasized that wildfire response must extend beyond extinguishing flames to shield residents from hazardous smoke and preserve critical forest ecosystems.

"Fires destroy more than trees and land. Habitats disappear, food sources vanish and wildlife loses its living space. We must count burned hectares and assess ecosystem losses and restoration needs," Selly said.

Representing West Java's VIII electoral district, Selly urged officials to map vulnerable ecological zones, rescue trapped animals, and implement post-fire habitat restoration.

She also called for guaranteed evacuations and enhanced medical support for smoke-exposed communities.

"Overwhelmed local governments need capacity and faster responses, not delays over disaster status. Smoke-exposed residents need care, vulnerable groups need protection and people in danger need assured evacuation. That is the state's duty," she added.

In response, Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat assured that all available state resources have been mobilized.

"All forces are working to extinguish the fires, so it is wrong to suggest that we are neglecting the situation," Jumhur said, citing joint operations involving provincial authorities, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), fire crews, the military, and local communities.

Translator: Tri MA, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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