World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 day ago
Indonesia Details Efforts to Fight Fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan
Indonesia is fighting forest and land fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Foreign Affairs Minister Arrmanatha Nasir told Malaysia that Indonesia has deployed more than 60,000 personnel and 48 helicopters and aircraft for water-bombing and weather-modification operations.
The fires remain a challenge, and smoke has affected parts of Malaysia and Singapore.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim discussed the fires by phone.
Anwar said Malaysia is ready to help Indonesia, and he asked his foreign minister to contact ASEAN about holding a meeting of environment ministers on the haze.
The smoke is a concern because it affects public health.
Indonesia hopes forecast rain will help the fires subside.
Indonesia said it had informed Malaysia about measures to tackle forest and land fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Foreign Affairs Minister Arrmanatha Nasir said Indonesia had deployed more than 60,000 personnel and was using 48 helicopters and aircraft for water bombing and weather modification.
The fires have produced haze affecting parts of Malaysia and Singapore.
Malaysia said it was ready to assist Indonesia and called for an ASEAN environment ministers’ meeting on the haze.
Arrmanatha said the fires remained a challenge and expressed hope that forecast rain would help them subside.
- Who
- Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Arrmanatha Nasir informed Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan about Indonesia’s firefighting measures.
- What
- Indonesia described efforts to tackle forest and land fires, including deploying personnel and aircraft. The fires have caused haze affecting Malaysia and Singapore.
- When
- Arrmanatha spoke to reporters on October 10, 2026. The article was published on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- The fires are in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia; Arrmanatha spoke at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta.
- Why
- Indonesia briefed Malaysia following a telephone conversation between President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim about the fires and haze.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had contacted President Prabowo about the fires and offered Malaysia’s cooperation.
Arrmanatha Nasir told reporters that he had briefed Malaysia on Indonesia’s firefighting measures.
- Fires
- Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia
- Personnel deployed
- Over 60,000
- Aircraft used
- 48 helicopters and aircraft
- Indonesian foreign affairs minister
- Arrmanatha Nasir
- Malaysian foreign minister
- Mohamad Hasan
What people are saying
Yes, we have communicated with [Malaysia]; I have spoken with the Malaysian Foreign Minister, and we have explained the steps Indonesia has taken—such as deploying over 60,000 personnel and utilizing 48 helicopters and aircraft for water bombing and weather modification operations,
The haze issue is indeed concerning; I have contacted President Prabowo, and he has agreed to take the necessary measures,
We stated several weeks ago that we are ready to provide any form of cooperation. I know this is a cause for concern and impacts public health,
We hope the fires will soon subside, as rain is forecast.
Sources
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