Indonesia puts offers by Malaysia, others to help fight forest fires on hold

 Jakarta acknowledges gesture by Putrajaya, but says it is capable of handling the situation for the time being.

Indonesia’s political and security affairs coordinating minister, Dudung Abdurachman, said foreign assistance to help put out forest fires will only be considered if the fires are declared a national disaster. (AFP pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Offers by Malaysia and other countries to help put out forest fires in Indonesia, which are causing the haze blanketing the region, will have to wait, says the Indonesian government.

Political and security affairs coordinating minister Dudung Abdurachman acknowledged Malaysia’s offer to help, but said assistance would only be considered if the fires were declared a national disaster.

Pending this, he said, the Indonesian government remained confident it could manage the crisis on its own.

“For now, we are still capable (of handling the suitation). Our country is still capable,” Bernama quoted hiom as saying at a press conference in Jakarta today. - FMT

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