Indonesia Turns to Peatland Science as Fire Prevention Stakes Rise

Jakarta, 28 September 2026 – Indonesia’s government is putting peatland research closer to the centre of its fire-prevention strategy after President Prabowo Subianto convened scientists at the Merdeka Palace. A presidential account says 22 academics from universities and research institutions in Indonesia and overseas joined the discussion on 24 September. The meeting focused on recurring peatland fires and measures to prevent forest and land burning before dry-season pressures escalate.

Peat is not ordinary soil. When drained, it can dry beneath the surface and burn for long periods, making fires difficult to detect and extinguish. The resulting smoke can disrupt transport, public health, agriculture and industrial activity across borders. That turns what appears to be an environmental discussion into a question about operating continuity, land management and the cost of prevention for companies with Indonesian exposure.