mitigasi

President Prabowo Subianto has officially signaled a paradigm shift in Indonesia’s environmental governance by initiating the formation of the National Peat and Mangrove Management Agency (BPGMN). This strategic move, which follows extensive consultations with the nation’s leading scientists and environmental academics, marks a significant departure from previous institutional frameworks. By placing the new body directly under the President’s office, the administration aims to elevate the urgency of ecosystem restoration and fire prevention to the highest level of national policy.

Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni confirmed that the agency’s creation was a direct response to data-driven advocacy from the scientific community. During a series of high-level meetings at the Presidential Palace, experts presented compelling evidence regarding the critical role of peatlands and mangroves in achieving Indonesia’s climate targets, particularly in mitigating the recurring threats of forest and land fires (Karhutla).

The Evolution of Institutional Governance

The decision to establish the BPGMN is not merely a rebranding exercise but a fundamental restructuring of environmental authority. While Indonesia previously operated the Peat and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM), which was formed in 2016 and dissolved in late 2024, the BPGMN is designed to be more robust and autonomous.

Unlike its predecessor, which operated under the administrative umbrella of the Ministry of Forestry, the BPGMN will function as a presidential-level entity. This structural change is intended to provide the agency with greater political leverage, streamlined decision-making processes, and direct access to state budgetary allocations. According to Minister Raja Juli, the agency will be staffed by professionals and scientists rather than career bureaucrats alone, ensuring that policy decisions are rooted in technical expertise and scientific rigor.

Chronology of Strategic Consultations

The move toward BPGMN began in earnest during the third week of September 2024. The chronology of the policy’s development highlights a deliberate attempt by the Prabowo administration to bridge the gap between academic research and executive action:

September 24, 2024: President Prabowo hosted 22 prominent environmental experts and researchers at the Merdeka Palace. The meeting centered on the systemic failures in previous fire mitigation strategies and the potential for large-scale mangrove and peatland restoration.
September 25-29, 2024: Internal discussions within the Ministry of Forestry were held to synthesize the input provided by the experts, focusing on the legal framework and the necessary institutional mandates for the new agency.
September 30, 2024: Minister Raja Juli Antoni formally announced that the government would proceed with the drafting of a Presidential Regulation (Perpres) to solidify the existence and operational authority of the BPGMN.

The Science of Restoration: The Riau Model

A core component of the BPGMN’s operational strategy will be the replication of successful grassroots practices, specifically those observed in Desa Tanjung Leban, Bengkalis, Riau. This region has emerged as a "living laboratory" for sustainable peatland management.

In this model, the local community, private sector, and government agencies have collaborated to implement a water-sharing system through canal blocking. This technique maintains the hydrological balance of the peatlands—keeping them sufficiently moist to prevent combustion while allowing for necessary human and economic activity.

Minister Raja Juli emphasized that the "Riau model" proves that conservation and economic development are not mutually exclusive. The BPGMN is expected to formalize these best practices and apply them across six priority provinces identified as the most vulnerable to forest fires. This shift toward a localized, community-engaged model reflects a broader move away from top-down enforcement toward collaborative landscape management.

Data and Environmental Urgency

The necessity of the BPGMN is underscored by the ecological importance of Indonesia’s peatlands. Indonesia holds one of the world’s largest tropical peatland areas, which acts as a massive carbon sink. When these lands dry out due to improper drainage or land-use changes, they become highly flammable, releasing massive amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Supporting data from recent environmental assessments indicates that the degradation of mangrove ecosystems has also accelerated coastal erosion and diminished the natural barrier protections against rising sea levels. By integrating the management of peat and mangroves, the BPGMN aims to address two critical fronts of the climate crisis simultaneously: carbon sequestration via peatlands and coastal protection via mangroves.

Operational Framework and Future Challenges

As the government moves to draft the Perpres, the Ministry of Forestry is organizing a specialized workshop involving the 22 experts who first proposed the agency. The scope of these deliberations includes:

Mandate Clarification: Defining the jurisdictional boundaries of the BPGMN, particularly its coordination with regional governments and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Establishing clear protocols for emergency fire response and long-term land restoration.
Organizational Structure: Creating an efficient hierarchy that avoids the redundancy that plagued previous inter-agency collaborations.

However, analysts note that the success of the BPGMN will depend heavily on the agency’s ability to navigate the complex socio-political landscape of the palm oil and pulp and paper industries. Historically, the interests of large-scale plantations have often conflicted with peatland conservation efforts. The agency will need to demonstrate strong enforcement capabilities to ensure that private sector actors adhere to the new sustainability standards mandated by the presidential body.

Economic and Diplomatic Implications

The creation of the BPGMN also serves as a strategic signal to the international community. As Indonesia seeks to position itself as a global leader in climate action, the establishment of a dedicated, high-level agency reinforces the country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and other international climate pledges.

By providing a transparent, scientifically backed framework for land management, Indonesia may also find it easier to access international climate financing, such as carbon credit markets and REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) funding. International observers have long argued that Indonesia’s ability to manage its peatlands is the single most important factor in the country’s ability to curb its national carbon footprint.

Conclusion: A New Chapter for Indonesian Conservation

The transition from a ministerial-level agency to a presidential-level body represents a significant gamble by the Prabowo administration. It acknowledges that the environmental challenges of the coming decade—exacerbated by climate change—cannot be managed through traditional, siloed bureaucratic structures.

While the administrative details are still being finalized, the consensus among stakeholders is one of cautious optimism. The involvement of the scientific community in the early stages of policy design suggests that the BPGMN will prioritize evidence-based outcomes over political optics.

As the agency moves toward full operational status, the challenge will be to maintain the momentum of the initial consultations and translate the "Riau model" into a national reality. If the BPGMN succeeds in bridging the gap between scientific expertise, community participation, and executive power, it could fundamentally change the trajectory of Indonesia’s environmental health, turning one of the nation’s most vulnerable landscapes into its most valuable asset in the fight against global climate change. The upcoming months, marked by the finalization of the Presidential Regulation, will be critical in determining whether this new agency has the institutional teeth to deliver on its ambitious mandate.

The rapid escalation in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across Indonesia has necessitated a significant pivot in public safety infrastructure, particularly concerning emergency response capabilities. As battery-powered transportation becomes a staple on urban roads, the risk profile of fire incidents has evolved, demanding specialized equipment and tactical training for firefighters. In a strategic move to address these challenges, the Dinas Penanggulangan Kebakaran dan Penyelamatan (Gulkarmat) of DKI Jakarta has officially received a critical donation of Portex EV Fire Blankets, provided by PT FAST, to bolster the city’s readiness in managing high-intensity lithium-ion battery fires.

The handover, which took place in mid-September 2026, serves as a cornerstone for a broader initiative aimed at integrating advanced fire suppression technology with public awareness campaigns. This development underscores the proactive stance taken by both the public and private sectors in mitigating the unique thermal runaway risks associated with modern electric mobility.

The Technical Challenge of Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

To understand the necessity of this equipment, one must examine the fundamental differences between conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) fires and EV battery fires. Traditional vehicle fires are primarily fueled by flammable liquids such as gasoline or diesel. These fires are typically suppressed by cooling the fuel source and starving the fire of oxygen. Conversely, lithium-ion battery fires are characterized by a phenomenon known as "thermal runaway."

In a thermal runaway event, the internal cell temperature rises uncontrollably, leading to the release of flammable gases and intense heat. These fires are self-sustaining, as the battery contains its own oxidizer, making them notoriously difficult to extinguish using standard water-based methods or conventional foam. Furthermore, these fires are prone to reignition, sometimes occurring hours or even days after the initial incident has been brought under control.

The Portex EV Fire Blanket is engineered to address these specific hazards. By physically isolating the burning vehicle, the blanket cuts off the oxygen supply, effectively smothering the flames and preventing the spread of toxic smoke and hazardous gases to surrounding structures or vehicles. This containment strategy is vital in densely populated urban environments like Jakarta, where vehicle fires can quickly escalate into multi-structure catastrophes.

Chronology and Context of the Initiative

The provision of this equipment did not occur in isolation but was part of a larger, culturally nuanced series of events. The handover was integrated into the "Jelaga di Ujung Raya" art exhibition, hosted at the Galeri Zen1 in Menteng, Jakarta, from September 12 to October 13, 2026. This exhibition, a collaborative effort between LFK and artist Arkiv Vilmansa, utilized the motif of fire—both as a destructive force and a transformative tool for artistic creation.

During the event, three major artworks created using fire-based techniques were auctioned to raise funds. The proceeds were designated for dual humanitarian and environmental causes: providing relief for the victims of the devastating fire in the Adat Sade village, West Nusa Tenggara, and supporting the rehabilitation of wildlife affected by recent forest and land fires across the archipelago.

This intersection of art, disaster relief, and technological advancement highlights a multifaceted approach to safety. By linking the practical necessity of EV fire suppression with the emotional resonance of art-led charitable giving, the organizers sought to foster a societal dialogue on fire safety that extends beyond technical specifications to address community resilience.

Perspectives on Safety and Public Confidence

The Chairperson of the Indonesian Electric Vehicle Industry Association (Periklindo), Moeldoko, emphasized the critical importance of public confidence in the transition toward sustainable mobility. During his remarks on September 16, 2026, the former TNI Commander stressed that while the technological benefits of EVs are clear, the fear of fire incidents remains a barrier to widespread adoption.

"By fostering awareness and equipping our first responders with the correct tools, we are effectively removing the ‘anxiety factor’ for potential and current EV owners," Moeldoko noted. He further elaborated that the integration of safety education with creative mediums—such as the art exhibition—is a potent strategy to ensure that safety protocols are not just dry manuals, but part of the cultural consciousness of the nation.

From the perspective of Gulkarmat DKI Jakarta, the addition of specialized blankets is a welcome enhancement to their existing standard operating procedures. As the fleet of electric buses (TransJakarta) and private EVs continues to grow within the capital, the operational capacity to handle specialized incidents becomes a matter of municipal security.

Supporting Data and Industry Implications

The global shift toward electrification is reflected in Indonesia’s national statistics. As of 2026, the proliferation of electric motorcycles and passenger cars has surged, supported by government incentives, local manufacturing initiatives, and the expansion of charging infrastructure. However, with this growth comes the statistical reality of increased exposure to fire risks.

While EVs are statistically no more likely to catch fire than ICE vehicles, the nature of their fire is more demanding. International fire safety organizations have reported that an EV fire can require up to 30,000 to 40,000 liters of water to fully extinguish if not contained early, compared to roughly 1,000 to 2,000 liters for a conventional vehicle. The use of a fire blanket can reduce this water consumption significantly, minimizing the environmental impact of runoff water, which can be contaminated with heavy metals and toxic chemicals from the battery.

Analysis: The Future of Urban Fire Response

The deployment of the Portex EV Fire Blanket is just one piece of a much larger, necessary puzzle for urban planning in Indonesia. Looking forward, the implications of this initiative suggest a move toward more specialized disaster management:

Infrastructure Readiness: Urban areas must transition from traditional fire stations to "smart" fire stations capable of storing and deploying specialized equipment tailored for high-voltage hazards.
Training and Certification: The personnel of Gulkarmat require ongoing training that focuses on the chemistry of battery fires and the specific protocols for handling high-voltage systems safely.
Public Awareness: As the general public becomes more familiar with the hazards of lithium-ion batteries—not just in vehicles, but in household electronics and power tools—public education campaigns must be sustained.
Regulatory Frameworks: There is a clear need for national standards regarding the storage and disposal of damaged batteries, as well as clear guidelines for parking structures to incorporate fire-suppression systems that account for EVs.

The recent fire incident in a warehouse complex in Kosambi, Tangerang, which destroyed 20 structures, serves as a sobering reminder of the volatility of urban fire risks. While that specific incident was not directly linked to EV technology, it highlights the vulnerability of the logistics and transport sectors in the greater Jakarta area. Ensuring that firefighters are equipped to handle any type of ignition, whether it be from traditional fuels or the emerging risks of the energy transition, is paramount.

Conclusion

The collaboration between PT FAST, the art community, and the Jakarta Fire Department represents a sophisticated model for public-private partnership. By combining technical hardware with social awareness, the stakeholders are building a more resilient infrastructure that can support the technological evolution of the automotive sector.

As Indonesia continues to pursue its goal of becoming a major hub for the electric vehicle ecosystem in Southeast Asia, the focus on safety must remain absolute. The introduction of the Portex EV Fire Blanket is a clear indicator that the nation is not only prepared to embrace the future of mobility but is also committed to ensuring that such progress is grounded in the highest standards of safety, public welfare, and professional preparedness. The path toward an electrified future is inherently linked to our ability to mitigate the risks that come with it, and this initiative stands as a testament to that ongoing commitment.

Presiden Prabowo Subianto Resmi Membentuk Badan Pengelolaan Gambut dan Mangrove Nasional untuk Memperkuat Mitigasi Karhutla