JAKARTA, 5 September, 2026 (Ghufraan) – Indonesian authorities on Saturday launched a water bombing operation to contain wildfires spreading near Nusantara, the country’s future capital city on the island of Borneo, an official said. The operation was initiated after fires intensified in buffer areas surrounding Nusantara since mid-August. Authorities are using aerial water bombing to support firefighters battling the blazes on the ground and to prevent the fires from spreading toward the city’s main development area.Nusantara Authority Environment and Natural Resources Deputy Myrna Asnawati Safitri said the aerial operation serves not only to extinguish active fires but also to accelerate the cooling of areas already treated by ground firefighting teams. “The function of water bombing is not only to extinguish fires but also to accelerate cooling in areas that have been extinguished by ground firefighters,” Myrna said. The operation is scheduled to continue until Sunday and may be extended if necessary, according to the official.
Indonesia has been struggling to contain wildfires across large areas of Sumatra and Borneo. The fires have generated thick haze that has crossed borders and affected neighboring countries, including Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. Despite the ongoing fires and haze, Myrna said construction activities in Nusantara have so far not been disrupted. Indonesia has been developing Nusantara in Borneo as a replacement for Jakarta, which faces severe problems including land subsidence, overcrowding and traffic congestion. Former President Joko Widodo revived plans to relocate the capital after securing a second term in 2019. However, construction of the new capital has slowed under President Prabowo Subianto, who has focused on major welfare initiatives, including a free meal programme for students. Prabowo had pledged as president-elect to continue and, if possible, complete the capital relocation project. However, since taking office in 2024, he has not announced plans to issue the presidential decree required to formally move the capital from Jakarta. Presidential spokesman Prasetyo Hadi said Nusantara would need to be ready to accommodate the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government before the relocation could take place, according to local media reports.