KLK: Majority of fires originated from beyond concession area, all have been put out

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) has clarified that most of the fires linked to its Indonesian subsidiary PT Menteng Jaya Sawit Perdana (PT MJSP) actually originated outside its concession area and have been extinguished. The company, a member of the Roundtable Sustainable Palm Oil, follows a zero-burning policy and does not allow open burning for any purpose at its operations.

PT MJSP's concession is now fully matured and does not engage in replanting activities. Out of the fire incidents, the majority occurred beyond KLK's concession area. Given the exceptionally dry conditions this year, attributed to the Super El Niño, the risk of fire and reignition is significantly higher. As the weather is expected to remain dry due to El Niño, maintaining the morale and stamina of the employees is a priority for the company.

KLK's teams have been working tirelessly to put out existing fires and prevent new ones, extending their efforts to areas beyond the concession. To ensure uninterrupted firefighting operations, the company has arranged for increased water supply, including purchasing external water sources, building additional water retention ponds, constructing tube walls, and permanently deploying water tankers.

The company has also ramped up fire surveillance and monitoring, with dedicated teams conducting satellite hotspot monitoring, drone surveillance, and daily ground patrols across their estates and surrounding areas. All fire incidents are documented and reported to the relevant authorities. The situation remains challenging, and KLK's primary focus is to suppress any remaining fire and reignition threats in its concession and the surrounding areas, while ensuring the safety of the community and their own team.