World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Indonesia approves neighboring countries’ help to fight forest fires
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto approved help from neighboring countries to fight forest fires across the country.
Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir said the National Agency for Disaster Management is discussing how the assistance would work.
Indonesia has deployed more than 60,000 people and aircraft and helicopters to fight the fires.
The fires, especially on Sumatra and Kalimantan, have sent haze across parts of South-east Asia during Indonesia’s worst fire season in more than a decade.
The haze has increased respiratory illness and disrupted schools and flights in Indonesia and neighboring countries.
Malaysia has offered one aircraft, three helicopters and 52 firefighters, while Singapore has also offered assistance.
Disaster officials will assess what help can be brought in after reviewing assets already available at local and national levels.
President Prabowo Subianto has approved accepting help from neighboring countries to fight forest fires in Indonesia.
Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir said the assistance is being discussed at the technical level by the National Agency for Disaster Management.
Indonesia had deployed 60,177 personnel as of October 13, alongside helicopters and aircraft used for firefighting and water-bombing.
Fires, worsened by a strong El Niño, have sent haze across South-east Asia and contributed to respiratory illnesses, school closures and flight cancellations.
Malaysia has offered one aircraft, three helicopters and 52 firefighters to help Indonesia.
- Who
- Indonesia, under President Prabowo Subianto, has approved accepting assistance from neighboring countries.
- What
- Foreign firefighting assistance is being processed through technical discussions led by BNPB.
- When
- Prabowo’s approval was confirmed on October 15, 2026.
- Where
- The fires are in several regions of Indonesia, particularly Sumatra and Kalimantan.
- Why
- The fires have spread widely and their effects, including haze, have reached neighboring countries.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia was prepared to assist Indonesia during a meeting with Prabowo.
Indonesia had deployed 60,177 personnel to fight the fires.
Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat said offers of assistance needed to be assessed for their suitability.
Government spokesman Honi Havana said operational requirements, personnel deployment and logistical support needed discussion.
Arrmanatha Nasir said Prabowo had approved foreign assistance and that technical discussions were under way.
- Personnel deployed
- 60,177 as of October 13
- Technical agency
- National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB)
- Malaysian offer
- One aircraft, three helicopters and 52 firefighters
- Fire-affected islands
- Sumatra and Kalimantan
- Regional mechanism
- Indonesia has routinely sent reports to the ASEAN Secretariat since August
4 sources
What people are saying
This is a very serious matter, one that is receiving the direct attention of the President.
This is an environmental issue that affects many parties; although the fires are in Indonesia, their impact is felt by our neighbors. So, they want to help us, and we welcome that.
I will first take stock of the assets we have at our disposal, both at the local and central government level, and then identify what international assistance can be brought in to help us accelerate our efforts.
We must first see what kind of assistance it is, whether it is significant or not. Instead of making mistakes later, it’s better for us to curate it first, to make sure that it fits.