en.malanginspirasi.com – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto appointed Andi Syamsuddin Arsyad, better known as Haji Isam, to handle firefighting operations against widespread forest and fires (karhutla) that have blanketed parts of Kalimantan in thick haze.
Isam arrived promptly by private plane, held coordination meetings with military, police, and local leaders, and visited fire-hit areas such as Gunting Damar in Banjarbaru.
The appointment has drawn sharp criticism over potential conflicts of interest.
Haji Isam’s business interests include large-scale plantations and mining concessions in Kalimantan and involvement in major national projects such as food estates.
Critics argue that putting a palm oil and extractive industry figure in charge of fire response risks prioritizing business interests over genuine environmental protection and addressing the root causes of annual blazes, which are often linked to land-clearing practices and peatland degradation.
He instructed senior Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri) commanders to lead coordinated responses across West, Central, South, and East Kalimantan, working with local governments and residents.
Fires have scorched significant areas this dry season, with thousands of hotspots detected, particularly in West and Central Kalimantan.
Haze has disrupted flights, increased respiratory illness cases, and crossed into neighboring Malaysia.
Environmental groups and observers warn the blazes threaten biodiversity in regions including Sulawesi and Papua, while calling for stronger action against deforestation, better enforcement of land-use regulations, and long-term solutions beyond seasonal firefighting.
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The appointment of Haji Isam quickly became a major talking point on X, a social media platform.
Many users expressing sarcasm, frustration, and accusations of oligarchic influence:
“Haji Isam ditunjuk langsung sama Prabowo untuk menangani penanggulan hutan yang terbakar di Kalimantan. Wallahi, we are finished.”
“Appointing a palm oil and mining tycoon to handle forest fires is like handing the warehouse keys straight to the thief”
“Like telling my cat to guard the bird it usually eats”
“Is there no regional government on Kalimantan as the president chose Haji Isam?”
While a minority viewed the appointment through the lens of Isam’s local knowledge, resources, and proximity to power as potentially practical for rapid response, the dominant sentiment on X was one of skepticism and concern that the decision undermines efforts to tackle the systemic drivers of Indonesia’s recurring wildfire crisis.
The day before, Prabowo has vowed stern measures against proven perpetrators and emphasized rapid containment, noting past successes against even larger fires.
Prabowo also demanded strict legal action against individuals and companies found deliberately starting fires, with reports of at least four corporations in West Kalimantan already under investigation.
Isam is a major palm oil, timber, mining, and logistics businessman who heads the Jhonlin Group and serves as Special Presidential Envoy for Energy, Food, and Infrastructure
