KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 17): TDM Bhd has confirmed that Indonesian authorities have sealed off its subsidiary's plantation land in the republic due to fire.

In a statement today, TDM said some 1,201 hectares belonging to PT Rafi Kamajaya Abadi (PTRKA) had been affected by fire.

It said the affected areas are known as North 2 Estate at NB2 — Tapang Ria, NB3 — Kemantan, NB7 — Kancing, and NB8 — Kayan.

TDM said the fire has been extinguished.

The group said the sealing off of the affected areas is a normal procedure by the Indonesian authorities to ensure the affected areas are secured and investigation can be carried out accordingly.

TDM said from the beginning of dry weather in early August, PTRKA has been on high alert and has put in place measures to manage and control fire incidents in the operating areas.

It said this includes maintaining equipped firefighting teams to deal with the dry weather, strong wind and the risk of fire.

"Over the last couple of weeks, PTRKA has been able to contain fires that have occurred in the areas.

"Reports to local authorities, including a police report, had been made on fire incidences," it said.

TDM said PTRKA had been working and will continue to work closely with local authorities, fire brigade and villagers in monitoring hot spots and joint operations for fire-prevention and fire-fighting purposes.

"PTRKA has allocated resources, including equipment and personnel, for surveillance and extinguishing of fires.

"TDM practises the RSPO principles and is strictly governed by the 'No Burning' policy that there shall be no use of fire in the preparation of new planting, replanting or any other developments.

"We wish to reiterate that since 2016, there is neither new development nor land clearing activities [that have] been carried out within our area of operation," it said.

At the noon break today, shares of TDM were unchanged at 17.5 sen, valuing the group at RM294.46 million.