Indonesia says it's 'still capable' of handling forest fires on its own, but welcomes S'pore & M'sia's assistance

Indonesia has yet to take up neighbouring countries' offers of assistance to tackle the forest fires that have spread thick haze across the region because it believes it is still capable of managing the situation.

That is why it has not declared the forest and land fires a national disaster, which would require accepting foreign assistance, said Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Dudung Abdurachman on Oct. 19.

"For now, we are still capable. Our country is still able," he underscored after a ministerial-level meeting, as quoted by Kompas.

Just a few days earlier, on Oct. 15, Indonesian Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir shared that President Prabowo Subianto had approved foreign assistance, and the technical arrangements were being processed.

Singapore and Malaysia have both made offers to help combat the blazes.

At a press conference on the haze on Oct. 16, Singapore's Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu reiterated that Singapore is "prepared to provide assistance that Indonesia thinks is suitable".

That includes civilian firefighting assistance and cloud-seeding support.

At that point in time, she had yet to hear back from Indonesia's environment minister about these offers.

Constraints to consider

Dudung also explained that accepting foreign assistance would involve several challenges on the ground.

He said the government must consider technical constraints in the field, including fuel distribution.

"It is not simply about having equipment, personnel, and assistance, but for now, we are still able," he said.

Welcomes assistance

Also speaking after another meeting on Oct. 19, Dudung said that the Indonesian government welcomes help from neighbouring countries, Kompas reported.

He acknowledged Malaysia's proposal to send three aircraft and 52 personnel to support firefighting efforts, adding that they are "welcome to do so".

He also went on to say that support from Singapore was currently being coordinated through the head of Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency.

On Indonesia's own part, the government has deployed 47 aircraft and 60,000 personnel, and ordered a boost in aerial operational capabilities to tackle the fires.

On Oct. 19, Singapore's Senior Minister K Shanmugam praised the efforts taken by Prabowo and his administration to tackle the haze problem.

Speaking at a media doorstop, SM Shanmugam expressed appreciation for the Indonesian president's commitment, including to prioritise fire prevention as a long-term solution.

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