Indonesia Prioritizes ASEAN Cooperation to Address Forest Fires

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Vahd Nabyl Mulachela, said Indonesia prioritizes cooperation with neighboring countries in addressing environmental issues that could have cross-border impacts, including forest and land fires. Nabyl made the statement following Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam’s decision to bring the issue of forest and land fires in Indonesia to the ASEAN level.

“Indonesia prioritizes cooperation with neighboring countries in addressing various environmental issues that have the potential to cause cross-border impacts,” Nabyl told RRI Voice of Indonesia via text message in Jakarta on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

He said the Indonesian Government continues to maintain communication and coordination with neighboring countries, including through ASEAN mechanisms, to ensure that the haze problem can be addressed promptly.

He further conveyed Indonesia also proactively provides information on hotspots, environmental conditions, and indications of haze movement to ASEAN member states.

“Indonesia also proactively provides hotspot data, environmental conditions, and indications of haze movement to ASEAN member states,” the Spokesperson said.

Previously, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam agreed to use ASEAN mechanisms to address the cross-border haze issue, which has once again affected several areas in the region due to forest and land fires in Central Kalimantan.

Citing The Star, Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said the haze issue was among the topics discussed with Brunei Darussalam’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah during the 27th Annual Leaders’ Consultation (ALC-27) on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

A day earlier, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, said the Malaysian Government would use ASEAN diplomatic channels to seek a solution to the cross-border haze issue.