'Not a national disaster’: Indonesia holds back foreign offers to fight fires, haze

KUALA LUMPUR — Indonesia is not accepting foreign assistance to fight its widespread forest and land fires as the situation has not been declared a national disaster, an official has said. Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Dudung Abdurachman said the Indonesian government remains confident in its capability to manage the crisis with its own resources. “For now, we are still capable. Our country is still capable,” he told a press conference on Monday, Bernama reports. “It is not a question of assistance, but there are also many technical challenges on the ground, including fuel distribution and other logistical issues,” he said. Acknowledging Malaysia’s offer for assistance, he said Indonesia would accept it if a national disaster is declared. On Sunday, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed Malaysia's readiness to assist Indonesia, and said Malaysia had proposed an ASEAN-level cooperation mechanism to strengthen coordination, preparedness, and collective action against transboundary haze. Earlier today, Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reiterated Malaysia’s readiness to mobilise assets including a Bombardier CL-415MP aircraft, three helicopters, and 50 personnel, pending official approval from Indonesia. The offer was initially made during Ahmad Zahid's meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Hambalang, West Java, on Sept 18. The Indonesian leader welcomed the offer. On Oct 15, Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir reportedly said President Prabowo Subianto had approved offers of assistance from neighbouring countries to help combat widespread forest and land fires, and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) was holding technical-level discussions on its implementation. As of 8pm today, 27 areas in Malaysia recorded unhealthy air pollutant index (API) readings (between 101 to 200 API), mostly in Johor, Melaka, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur. It was reported earlier today that the number of fire hotspots across Indonesia had more than quadrupled to 1,104 on yesterday (Sunday), compared to the day before. Kalimantan has the highest number of hotspots as it has had the most prolonged forest and land fires. Central Kalimantan and West Kalimantan are considered among six priority areas for firefighting operations, alongside South Sumatra, South Kalimantan, Jambi and Riau, Indonesian authorities said. Air quality deteriorated to very unhealthy and hazardous levels across much of Central Kalimantan, while West, South and East Kalimantan recorded unhealthy to very unhealthy conditions. - October 19, 2026 The post 'Not a national disaster’: Indonesia holds back foreign offers to fight fires, haze appeared first on Scoop .