Thejakartapost.com 28 Sep 15;
The Indonesian government welcomed any country, including Singapore, that wanted to help extinguish forest and land fires in the country to remove the haze, said Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
"Go ahead, we are open. Singapore can come and see for themselves if they want to help. Don't just talk [about it]," said Kalla on Sunday in New York, United States, as quoted by Antara news agency.
Previously, Singapore expressed frustration with Indonesia regarding the smog that has affected the country.
Kalla said that the Indonesian government had worked hard to eliminate the fires but it was difficult to do in a short time.
"The problem is, in addition to the hot weather, the fires in Indonesia are worsened by the wind," said Kalla.
He mentioned the forest fires in California as an example of a similar incident that was hard to extinguish in a short time.
"We have done all that we can do. Since it has affected other countries, if they want to help, then go ahead," said Kalla.
Separately, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said she had communicated with Singapore's foreign minister to explain the steps that had been taken by the Indonesian government.
"Indonesia is very serious about solving the issue and the efforts include law enforcement and education," said Retno. (kes)
Indonesia open to help from any country, including Singapore: VP Jusuf Kalla
"Singapore, please come if you want to help. Don't just talk," Mr Kalla was quoted by Indonesian news agency Antara News as saying.
Saifulbahri Ismail Channel NewsAsia 28 Sep 15;
JAKARTA: The Indonesian government is open to help from any country, including Singapore, if they wish to assist in fighting the forest fires that are causing the haze in the region, Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla said on Sunday (Sep 27).
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in New York, Mr Kalla said the Indonesian government has noted Singapore’s protests against the haze.
"Please come, we are open. Singapore can see for itself. Singapore, please come if you want to help. Don't just talk," local news agency Antara News quoted Mr Kalla as saying.
Mr Kalla said Indonesia has explained that it is working hard to put out the forest fires, but it is difficult to solve the problem within a short period of time.
"The forest fires in Indonesia are helped by the dry weather and winds," he said.
This is not the first time Mr Kalla is inviting Singapore to help. On Sep 15, he appealed to Singapore through local media to help fight the fires, and was quoted as saying: “Singapore, please come. Singapore also knows that the natural disaster can happen anywhere.”
The Singapore Armed Forces had offered to send C-130s for cloud seeding and Chinooks to carry large water buckets to douse the fires.
However, Indonesia's Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar has declined Singapore's assistance, and said that her country is trying to handle the crisis on its own. Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi also said that she has spoken with her Singaporean counterpart to explain the steps that Jakarta has taken.
"Indonesia is very serious about resolving the fires, and this will be complemented with law enforcement and education," said Ms Retno.
- CNA/hs
SAF ready to support Indonesia’s haze mitigation efforts, reiterates Ng Eng Hen
Today Online 28 Sep 15;
SINGAPORE — On a two-day working visit to Indonesia that began today (Sept 28), Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen discussed the haze situation in Indonesia with his Indonesian counterpart and reiterated that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was ready to support Indonesia’s haze mitigation efforts, if and when activated.
During his meeting with Indonesian Defence Minister General (Rtd) Ryamizard Ryacudu, the two ministers also reaffirmed the close and long standing bilateral defence relations between Indonesia and Singapore and discussed ways to enhance bilateral defence cooperation.
The details of the meeting were released in a statement by the Ministry of Defence today.
Singapore and Indonesia engage in regular professional exchanges and long standing bilateral exercises such as Exercise Elang Indopura, Exercise Safkar Indopura and Exercise Eagle Indopura.
As part of the visit, Dr Ng today called on Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs General (Rtd) Luhut Pandjaitan. He also inspected a Guard of Honour with Gen Ryacudu.
