Summary
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has approved assistance from neighbouring countries to fight forest fires affecting several Indonesian provinces.
Malaysia offered one aircraft, three helicopters and 52 firefighting personnel during a meeting with Mr Prabowo in West Java on Sept 18.
Indonesia had deployed 60,177 personnel by Oct 13, including firefighters, military and police officers, forestry officials and local volunteers.
INDONESIA: Indonesia has approved offers of foreign assistance to fight forest and land fires that have sent haze across Southeast Asia.
President Prabowo Subianto gave the go-ahead, said Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir on Oct 15, according to Antara’s news report. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is now working out the operational and technical details needed to accept assistance from neighbouring countries.
The decision affects Singapore and Malaysia, where haze from Indonesian fires has raised concerns over air quality, public health and outdoor activities.
Indonesia prepares to accept regional assistance
Mr Nasir said Mr Prabowo was closely monitoring the fires because they had affected several Indonesian provinces and neighbouring countries.
The government had already deployed 60,177 personnel by Oct 13, including firefighters, military and police officers, forestry officials and local volunteers.
Aircraft and helicopters have also been used for aerial water bombing and cloud seeding in areas at high risk of fires.
Mr Nasir said Indonesia's response had been firm and that the government was committed to resolving the crisis. However, the latest approval marks a step towards bringing in support from outside the country.
Malaysia offers aircraft, helicopters and firefighters
Malaysia had offered one aircraft, three helicopters and 52 firefighting personnel during a meeting between Prabowo and Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Hambalang, West Java, on Sept 18.
The offer came as Indonesia sought to strengthen its response to fires affecting the region.
On Oct 14, Honi Havana, a spokesperson for Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs, said operational needs, including personnel deployment and logistics, still required discussion. He also said Indonesia hadn’t rejected Malaysia's offer.
Singapore had separately expressed its readiness to help. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said on Oct 10 that Singapore stood ready to assist Indonesia where possible.
Ms Fu had also been in contact with Indonesian Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat and supported regional cooperation on the haze.
Indonesia is facing its worst fire season in more than a decade, with fires concentrated in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
A strong El Niño weather pattern has worsened fire conditions. The resulting haze has affected parts of Southeast Asia, contributing to respiratory illnesses, school closures and flight cancellations.
Malaysia has closed schools in several states while some outdoor activities in Singapore have been curtailed.
The fires may start within Indonesia's borders, but their effects don’t stop there. These conditions make regional cooperation important, especially when smoke crosses national boundaries and affects people who have no control over where the fires begin.
Regional cooperation needs action on the ground
Accepting foreign assistance is a practical step, but the work ahead involves more than deploying aircraft and firefighters. Indonesia must coordinate incoming resources with its existing teams and direct them to areas where they can be most effective.
For Singapore and Malaysia, the immediate concern is reducing the haze and protecting public health. Lasting progress will also depend on preventing recurring fires.
Regional support can help put out fires, but preventing the next outbreak is just as critical.