Indonesia accepts foreign firefighting help as fires worsen — SkimNews
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- Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir told reporters at the Parliament building on Oct 15 that Indonesia will accept foreign firefighting help, confirming President Prabowo Subianto's approval and noting BNPB is leading technical discussions
- Lieutenant-General Kristomei Sianturi, the newly appointed head of disaster agency BNPB, said he would first take stock of local and central government assets before identifying what international assistance could accelerate firefighting efforts
- Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat said on Oct 13 that the government needed to "curate" offers of help to ensure they were significant and fit operational needs, while Coordinating Ministry spokesman Honi Havana made similar remarks on Oct 14 about personnel deployment and logistical support
- Fires across Sumatra and Kalimantan — worsened by a strong El Nino — constitute Indonesia's worst fire season in more than a decade, blanketing the region in haze that has driven up respiratory illnesses, shut schools, and triggered flight cancellations in Indonesia and neighboring countries
Why it matters: Indonesia's reversal from publicly 'curating' aid to accepting it removes a diplomatic irritant with Singapore and Malaysia, both of which had publicly offered help during a haze crisis that has shut schools and grounded flights. The operational assessment now rests with Lt-Gen Kristomei, who took over BNPB days ago and will determine whether the offers translate into deployed crews or remain diplomatic gestures.
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