Indonesian forestry minister Raja Juli Antoni said authorities must remain vigilant for another month, as parts of Indonesia may not see rainfall until November or December. (EPA Images pic)JAKARTA: Indonesia will not declare its prolonged forest and land fires a national disaster for now, saying it remains capable of handling the crisis.
Coordinating minister for political and security affairs Dudung Abdurachman said the decision was made at a limited cabinet meeting chaired by President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday.
“Not yet, not yet. We are still capable of handling it,” he told reporters after the meeting.
Dudung said offers of international assistance were not discussed at the meeting, while acknowledging concerns over transboundary haze affecting neighbouring countries, including Malaysia.
