Indonesia's Prabowo approves foreign assistance to tackle forest fires causing haze

Indonesia has agreed to accept assistance from neighbouring countries to tackle the forest fires that have sent haze across the region.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir said on Oct. 15 that President Prabowo Subianto had approved the assistance, while the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) was working out the technical arrangements, according to Antara.

Offers of help being processed

Speaking to reporters, Arrmanatha said: “The assistance that neighbouring countries wish to provide has already been discussed and is now being processed.”

He did not specify which countries’ offers were being considered or what form the assistance would take, Bernama reported.

He added that Prabowo was closely monitoring the fires as their impact spread across several Indonesian provinces and the wider Southeast Asian region.

Head of BNPB, Lieutenant-General Kristomei Sianturi said the agency would first assess the resources already available locally and nationally before determining what overseas assistance could help speed up firefighting efforts.

Earlier responses less certain

Singapore had earlier said it was ready to assist Indonesia.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said on Oct. 10 that Singapore was aware of Indonesia's efforts to contain the fires and would “stand ready to assist” where possible.

Fu also said she had been in contact with Indonesian Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat and supported regional cooperation on the haze, Mothership reported.

In the days before Prabowo’s approval was confirmed, Indonesian officials said the offers were still being discussed and operational details had yet to be worked out.

Malaysia offered aircraft, helicopters and personnel

Malaysia had also offered assistance.

During a meeting with Prabowo in Hambalang, West Java, on Sep. 18, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi offered one aircraft, three helicopters and 52 firefighting personnel.

On Oct. 14, Honi Havana, a spokesperson for the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs, said operational requirements, including personnel deployment and logistical support, still had to be worked out.

He added that Indonesia had not outright rejected Malaysia’s offer of assistance.

Prabowo has described the haze as a problem whose effects extend beyond Indonesia.

“The fires are in Indonesia, but their impact is felt by our neighbours, so we welcome their support.”

Worst fire season in more than a decade

Indonesia is facing its worst fire season in over 10 years, with fires concentrated in Sumatra and Kalimantan, The Straits Times reported.

The fires have been exacerbated by a strong El Niño weather phenomenon and have sent haze across parts of Southeast Asia, contributing to respiratory illnesses, school closures and flight cancellations.

Malaysia has closed schools in several states, Reuters reported, while some outdoor activities in Singapore have been curtailed.