Gibran Apologizes as Smoke Continues to Affect Kalimantan
Kabarsaji.com – Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has issued an apology to people living across Kalimantan as haze from continuing forest and land fires leaves air conditions yet to return fully to normal.
Gibran delivered the message on Thursday, September 10, 2026, during an inspection of a forest and land fire response post in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan. His visit formed part of a wider review of firefighting operations and public protection measures in several parts of the island.
“I sincerely apologize to the people of Kalimantan because air conditions have not yet fully recovered,” Gibran said.
The vice president said the government would continue pursuing its response to the fires under directives issued by President Prabowo. The focus, he said, is on deploying the strongest possible effort while conditions remain challenging.
“We will maximize our efforts and do our best in accordance with the President’s directives,” he said.
Three Provinces Visited in One Day
Gibran’s Thursday itinerary included fire-response locations in three provinces: Palangka Raya in Central Kalimantan, Banjarbaru in South Kalimantan, and Kubu Raya in West Kalimantan. The visits gave him an opportunity to examine current firefighting developments and identify requirements faced by teams and communities on the ground.
The scale of the itinerary underlined that haze is not simply a local concern limited to one district. Forest and land fires can create consequences across a broad area, making coordination among provinces, local authorities, emergency personnel, health services, and residents especially important.
During the inspections, Gibran emphasized that the response must extend beyond extinguishing active fires. He said fire management should be comprehensive, combining effective suppression efforts with protections for public health, community safety, wildlife, and natural habitats.
That broader approach matters while smoke persists. A fire response is not complete merely when personnel are sent to affected areas; residents also need practical support as daily routines are disrupted. Access to health care, education, supplies, and reliable local assistance can become central concerns for households living with reduced air quality.
Priority for Vulnerable Residents
Gibran specifically highlighted groups that may require additional protection during the haze period: children, older people, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. His call places public services at the center of the emergency response alongside field operations against the fires.
Authorities were urged to make sure affected communities retain access to essential health and education services, while also receiving sufficient logistical assistance for as long as the fires continue. The message recognizes that the effects of haze can reach into schools, clinics, family life, transport, and the ability of residents to maintain ordinary activities.
Protecting vulnerable groups requires attention to the different ways communities experience the same emergency. A response that addresses only fire locations may overlook the needs of people who have limited mobility, need regular care, or depend on services that can be strained when haze lingers.
Gibran also linked human protection with environmental protection. In his view, the response should safeguard wildlife and the habitats affected by forest and land fires, reflecting the interconnected impact of fires on communities and surrounding ecosystems.
Call for Faster, Measurable Follow-Up
The vice president asked central and regional governments to improve their coordination and ensure that issues identified in the field lead to clear, measurable action. The request points to the importance of turning reports from affected locations into prompt decisions, resources, and follow-up work.
He also urged continued alertness because El Niño conditions are expected to remain in place until early 2027. With that outlook in mind, Gibran called for stronger prevention alongside ongoing firefighting efforts.
“Conduct more intensive preventive patrols. Strengthen coordination and involve all elements of society. Ensure that every problem in the field is addressed quickly and measurably. Also increase public outreach and education,” Gibran said.
Preventive patrols and public education can help make the response more proactive. While firefighters address existing incidents, prevention efforts are intended to identify risks earlier, improve communication with residents, and encourage broad participation in protecting vulnerable areas.
The emphasis on measurable action also sets a practical standard for the institutions involved. Residents affected by haze need visible progress in the services and support available to them, while authorities need clear coordination across locations facing different conditions.
For people in Kalimantan, the vice president’s apology acknowledges that the effects of the fires remain immediate. His inspections in Central, South, and West Kalimantan combined that acknowledgement with a call for a response that protects health, maintains essential services, strengthens prevention, and addresses problems quickly as the haze emergency continues.
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