Jakarta, Sept. 1 -- Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ribka Haluk has urged regional governments to enhance their preparedness to face forest and land fires, ensuring that public protection and services continue uninterrupted.

"Mitigation measures must always be in place. Regional budgets (APBD) and regional government work plans (RKPD) must always allocate funds for unexpected expenditures (BTT)," she said in a statement.

Ribka made the statement while chairing a coordination meeting on forest and land fire preparedness and management for the Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, and Papua regions at the Ministry of Home Affairs headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday.

According to her, preparedness needs to be supported by regulations, funding, inst...