Indonesia’s parliament has urged Malaysia and Singapore to play a greater role in preventing forest and land fires as blazes worsen across Kalimantan and other regions.
House Commission VIII chairman Marwan Dasopang said neighboring countries should recognize the scale of Indonesia’s territory and the challenges of controlling fires during the dry season.
Foreign Plantations Linked to Fire Risks in Indonesia
Marwan noted that Malaysian and Singaporean companies own plantations in Indonesia, and therefore share responsibility for prevention. “They should not just protest, but also take part in prevention,” he said, adding that some plantation activities may contribute to the fires.
He stressed that while Indonesia can apologize and seek help, foreign stakeholders must also act on the ground.
The lawmaker called for proactive measures, urging the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to strengthen preparedness before conditions deteriorate.
He also pushed for amendments to the Disaster Management Law to give BNPB greater authority, including stronger regional coordination. Marwan argued that BNPB’s capacity must be enhanced to focus on prevention and mitigation, not just post‑disaster response.
He criticized stalled efforts to revise the law, saying previous proposals weakened BNPB’s role. With fires worsening, Marwan insisted reforms and regional cooperation are essential to reduce risks and protect communities.
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