Indonesia sustains aerial wildfire response with 50 helicopters

Former diplomat and author Bilahari Kausikan voiced his concerns over Indonesia's handling of the ongoing haze crisis, which is impacting not just Indonesia but also Singapore and Malaysia. In a social media post shared on October 11, Kausikan criticized the Indonesian government's stance on the matter, stating that the fires causing the transboundary haze are not just a natural phenomenon, but a man-made issue resulting from irresponsible forest clearance for large-scale agriculture.

He pointed out that historically, haze was a sporadic problem, but now it has evolved into a persistent issue. While acknowledging the influence of the current Super El Niño weather conditions, Kausikan maintained that the haze situation is primarily a result of human actions, including negligence, corruption, and administrative incompetence.

Kausikan also took issue with the government's claim that Indonesian forests provide oxygen to neighboring countries during non-haze periods, calling it an "absurd line" that reflects a sense of entitlement. He urged the Indonesian government to address the haze issue more seriously by raising the matter in international forums, as regional efforts alone are unlikely to yield significant results.