PONTIANAK, thekabarnews.com—West Kalimantan NasDem Party Chair Syarief Abdullah Alkadrie has questioned the urgency of repealing a provincial regulation that recognizes traditional land-clearing practices. He argues that the government should strengthen the rule. Syarief urges a ban on all burning during periods of extreme fire risk.

Syarief, who represents West Kalimantan’s first electoral district in the House of Representatives (DPR), delivered the position amid debate over West Kalimantan Regional Regulation No. 1/2022. This regulation concerns local wisdom-based traditional farming.

“Regional Regulation No. 1/2022 derives from Law No. 32/2009 on Environmental Protection, which recognizes local wisdom,” Syarif said. in a video statement published by Pontianak Post.

The National Environmental Protection and Management Law generally prohibits land clearing by fire. However, Article 69 requires authorities to consider local wisdom.

Its official explanation defines the exception as burning no more than two hectares per household to grow local crop varieties. In addition, firebreaks must surround the site to prevent flames from spreading.

West Kalimantan adopted the provincial regulation on May 30, 2022, to govern that exception at the regional level.

“If the regional regulation is repealed, the law will still exist. What is the urgency?” Syarief asked.

Syarief stressed that NasDem’s position did not amount to opposition to President Prabowo Subianto’s direction on forest and land fire control.

“NasDem is not rejecting the president’s instruction. Our concern relates to the urgency,” he said.

Prabowo called for the regulation’s repeal while reviewing the response to forest and land fires in Kubu Raya on August 22. The proposal has since prompted debate among provincial officials. Lawmakers and customary-community representatives are also debating the proposal.

Rather than removing the regulation, Syarief proposed revising it to establish stronger emergency restrictions.

He said authorities should suspend all land burning when severe drought, poor air quality or an escalating wildfire threat makes controlled burning unsafe.

“Under conditions like these, we should stop anyone from burning, as it will worsen the situation,” he said.

Syarief concluded that the province should protect traditional farmers without weakening wildfire prevention.

A formal review, he argued, could clarify emergency triggers and enforcement responsibilities. It could retain legal recognition for carefully controlled customary farming.