Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on September 30 that his country needs three years to completely put an end to forest fires which have been occurring more frequently in recent years.
An Indonesian soldier participated in extinguishing forest fires in Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra province, on September 30. (Source: VNA)
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on September 30 that his country needs three years to completely put an end to forest fires which have been occurring more frequently in recent years.
The Southeast Asian country had to mobilise 12,000 individuals including 3,700 soldiers and 8,000 police to handle the fires, which have been ravaging its major islands over recent weeks.
Local governments have implemented a number of measures, including spraying water from helicopters and using artificial rain, in order to control fires and the subsequent haze pollution as soon as possible.
Singapore, which has been severely impacted by smoke drifting from fires on Indonesian islands, offered help but it has thus far not been accepted by Indonesia. Malaysian Minister of Defence Hishammuddin Hussein expressed his nation’s willingness to help Indonesia cope with the situation as well.
After a field trip to Central Kalimantan to survey the damage caused by fires, President Joko Widodo said Indonesia has been building systems to keep water in forests and canals.
Speaking at a meeting of ASEAN ministers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Chief of Indonesian National Police Badrodin Haiti said the police have investigated 210 fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan and are ready to bring 40 cases to court.
Singapore has begun preparing legal documents to sue five Indonesian companies for their role in the forest fires.
In related news, the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology , Climatology and Geophysics forecast that in the next two days, the weather in Sumatra will be cloudy but rain is still a distant outlook.
The particle content in the a🌠ir in the region was 340ug/m3, an unhealthy level.-VNA
People in the southern and central provinces of Vietnam are not only suffering from the scorching weather, they are afraid it could lead to forest fires and destroy fields of sugar-cane.
Indonesia is investigating 10 firms over worsening forest fires that have created a blanket of smog over Southeast Asia, according to the country’s authorities.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has suggested developing canals to prevent forest fires during a meeting in the village of Sakakajang in Central Kalimantan after his visit to a forest in the area.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
An Indonesian soldier participated in extinguishing forest fires in Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra province, on September 30. (Source: VNA)
