September 23, 2026 | 03:55 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Japanese government, through the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), deploys CH-47 Chinook helicopters to bolster Indonesia's efforts to tackle forest fires in Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan.
"This support is part of Japan's humanitarian mission to assist Indonesia in tackling widespread karhutla (forest and land fires) across several areas of West Kalimantan, particularly Ketapang," said Major General Budi Irawan, Deputy III for Emergency Management at the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), at Supadio Air Force Base in Pontianak on Wednesday, as quoted by ANTARA.
He expressed appreciation to the Japanese government, which had been helping the Indonesian government with firefighting operations for almost two weeks.
"On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, I convey my gratitude and appreciation to the Government of Japan, which has spent nearly two weeks working alongside the Indonesian government to extinguish forest and land fires in the West Kalimantan region," he said.
According to Budi, Ketapang has become a priority for intervention because the area has experienced a prolonged dry spell, triggering a spread of hotspots.
The BNPB deployed water-bombing and aerial patrol helicopters to reach the fire sites, while support from the JSDF's CH-47 Chinook bolstered aerial operational capabilities in areas difficult to access by land.
A JSDF representative stated that Japanese forces are proud to carry out a humanitarian mission alongside the Indonesian military (TNI) and National Police to tackle forest fires in West Kalimantan.
“We are very happy to assist and collaborate with the Government of the Republic of Indonesia in carrying out a humanitarian mission to extinguish karhutla (forest and land fires) in Ketapang by deploying Chinook CH-47 water-bombing helicopters,” he said.
Budi said that handling forest fires does not rely solely on aerial operations. The BNPB—alongside the TNI, National Police, BPBD, Manggala Agni, and the Community Fire Brigade (MPA)—is also strengthening the integrated ground task force to control fires at the ground level.
This collaboration aims to accelerate firefighting operations and prevent the spread of fires in drought-affected areas with difficult-to-access terrain.
Before departing for Ketapang, Budi Irawan and his delegation met with the Commander of Supadio Air Force Base, Air Commodore Sidik Setiyono, and representatives of the JSDF in the VIP room at the base.
Following the meeting, the BNPB delegation proceeded to Ketapang via the Rasau Jaya Pier in Kubu Raya Regency to directly inspect the progress of forest and land fire management efforts.
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