VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar has said that Indonesia and Malaysia can exchange insights and experiences regarding the handling of forest and land fires.

"I think we can simply learn from each other since Indonesia will be the coordination center for handling transboundary haze," she explained at Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, on Friday.

Based on available data, the haze from forest and land fires within Indonesia has not spread to Malaysia, the minister said.

For that reason, it would be incorrect for Malaysia to lodge a complaint with Indonesia, she added.

"According to data, there is no transboundary haze, so they (Malaysia) cannot state a complaint to Indonesia," she stated.

In fact, she added, the forest and land fires that are currently blazing in several regions in Indonesia have been triggered by activities in concession areas under the management of foreign companies, including those from Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, and China.

"Hence, I think we should simply learn from each other," Bakar emphasized.

Speaking about a letter received from the Malaysian government, Minister Bakar clarified that the letter did not contain complaints.

Through the letter, the Malaysian government offered Indonesia assistance in handling forest and land fires, she informed.

"I have read the letter. It does not contain complaints. They (Malaysia) just informed us that the air quality in their territory is not in a good condition and stated their willingness to cooperate with Indonesia," she elaborated.

Furthermore, the minister affirmed that the government is currently formulating a system for handling forest and land fires by taking into account the fact that Indonesia has a vast territory.

Earlier, it was reported that the Malaysian government had sent Indonesia a letter regarding forest and land fires.

The letter was sent by Malaysian Minister of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. (Antaranews)