Prabowo berates countries that ‘insult’ Indonesia over wildfires, vows to reveal companies involved

Indonesia's president, Prabowo, lashed out against countries he believes insulted his nation regarding the ongoing wildfires that have devastated large swaths of land. The fires, currently consuming over 1.9 million hectares, have created hazardous air pollution that has drifted into neighboring Malaysia, Singapore, and East Timor.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has convened a meeting to address the crisis. Prabowo stated that "many corporations bear responsibility" for the situation, though he did not disclose specific names or nationalities. Neighboring countries have offered assistance while maintaining a low profile on diplomatic levels.

However, growing public discontent has led to calls from a Malaysian MP to treat Indonesia as an "outcast" in the region. Prabowo emphasized that while the Indonesian people are typically patient, they cannot tolerate ongoing insults. He has urged an investigation into the fires, which he believes are not solely natural, and are instead caused primarily by slash-and-burn land-clearing practices and a severe drought exacerbated by the El Nino weather phenomenon.

Prabowo called the deliberate setting of fires "a crime against humanity," as it endangers the health of millions of citizens. Once evidence is collected, he vowed to revoke licenses from companies that violate the law.