BATAM | INDATANEWS.COM ~ A joint task force from the Riau Islands Police (Polda Kepri) carried out a patrol on Friday, March 27, 2026, aimed at preventing forest fires in Batam.
The operation follows a blaze in the Sungai Harapan protected forest, which destroyed approximately 2 hectares near the Sei Temiang cemetery on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, around 3:30 PM.
The joint team from the Riau Islands Regional Police sprays water on the burned areas of Sungai Harapan Protected Forest, located in the Sei Temiang Cemetery area, Batam. (PHOTO: Doc. Kepri Police)
Integrated Patrol and Monitoring Strategy
The patrol was led by
Nongsa Police Chief, Kompol Eriman, who served as the operational commander. The team included the Mobile Brigade Command (Satbrimob), Water Police Directorate (Ditpolair), Samapta Directorate,
Nongsa Police Station,
Batam Authority Property Security Directorate (Ditpam BP
Batam), and the Fire Department (Damkar). The briefing at the Polda Kepri headquarters focused on developing a coordinated monitoring strategy in response to the recent
forest fire.
Around 9:30 AM, the team patrolled fire-prone areas, including Jalan Hang Jebat, Jalan Hang Lekiu, and the vicinity of the Sambau Reservoir in Nongsa. At the Sei Temiang cemetery, officers assessed the immediate aftermath of the fire and worked closely with on-site firefighters, enabling rapid and efficient fire control.
The Riau Islands Regional Police team draws water from a ditch to extinguish the remnants of the Sungai Harapan Protected Forest fire in the Sei Temiang Cemetery area,
Batam. (PHOTO: Doc.
Kepri Police)
Preventive Measures and Community CollaborationThe task force also engaged with the Deputy Head of Public Services at BP Batam and local community leaders, including neighborhood heads (RT and RW). The discussions aimed to identify the causes of the fire and develop sustainable preventive strategies. This community-based approach is central to reducing forest and land fire risks in Batam.
In addition to firefighting efforts, the patrol emphasized prevention through public awareness campaigns on the ban of open burning, strengthening officer readiness, and improving interagency cooperation to safeguard public safety, order, and the environment.
The Riau Islands Regional Police team coordinates with local residents to prevent future forest fires in the Sungai Harapan Protected Forest, Sei Temiang Cemetery area, Batam. (PHOTO: Doc. Kepri Police)
The operation concluded with a consolidation meeting at 11:30 AM to evaluate the patrol's effectiveness. The review noted that the operation ran smoothly, demonstrating a fast and coordinated response to the forest and land fire threats in Batam. (INDC)
REPORTER:
Darmailawati