World · East Asia & Pacific · 10 hrs ago
Indonesian official’s oxygen claim draws mockery amid regional haze
Smoke from forest fires in Indonesia’s Sumatra and Kalimantan is affecting neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore.
The haze has led to school closures and health warnings in both countries.
Syahganda Nainggolan, who heads Indonesia’s government communications agency, was asked about the smog on Saturday.
He said Indonesia sends oxygen from its forests when it is not sending smoke.
His remarks drew sarcasm and disbelief from Malaysians on social media.
Some questioned whether they were breathing air imported from Indonesia and pointed to Malaysia’s own forests.
The haze has raised concerns about the effects of fires in one country on people across the region.
Indonesian communications chief Syahganda Nainggolan said Indonesia’s forests provide oxygen to Singapore and Malaysia when they are not sending smoke.
The claim drew sarcasm and disbelief from Malaysians on social media.
Toxic smoke from forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan has affected neighbouring countries.
The haze has forced school closures and prompted health warnings in Malaysia and Singapore.
Nainggolan made the remarks on Saturday when questioned about the severe smog.
- Who
- Syahganda Nainggolan, head of Indonesia’s government communications agency, made the claim; Malaysian social media users mocked it.
- What
- Nainggolan said Indonesia’s forests provide oxygen to Singapore and Malaysia when there is no smoke.
- When
- Saturday. The article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- The claim concerned Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia; the smoke came from fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
- Why
- Nainggolan was questioned about severe smog from forest fires. His remarks prompted Malaysians to question the claim and why Malaysia’s own forests were not mentioned.
Syahganda Nainggolan
Malaysian social media users
Claim about forests
Syahganda Nainggolan
Indonesia’s forests provide oxygen to Singapore and Malaysia when there is no smoke.
Malaysian social media users
Users questioned whether they were breathing imported air and why Malaysia’s forests appeared to have been forgotten.
Regional contribution
Syahganda Nainggolan
Indonesia sends oxygen as well as smoke, he said.
Malaysian social media users
Users responded with sarcasm and disbelief.
Syahganda Nainggolan made his remarks when questioned about severe smog.
Malaysians on social media responded with sarcasm and questioned the oxygen claim.
- Official
- Syahganda Nainggolan, head of Indonesia’s government communications agency
- Claim
- Indonesia’s forests provide oxygen to Singapore and Malaysia
- Fire locations
- Sumatra and Kalimantan
- Affected countries
- Malaysia and Singapore
- Publication date
- October 12, 2026
What people are saying
We don’t just send smoke; when there is no smoke, we send oxygen.
The oxygen in Singapore and Malaysia also comes from our forests.
Sources
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