Indonesia's political and security affairs coordinating minister, Dudung Abdurachman, said foreign assistance to help put out forest fires will only be considered if the fires are declared a national disaster. (AFP pic)PETALING JAYA: Offers by Malaysia and other countries to help put out forest fires in Indonesia, which are causing the haze blanketing the region, will have to wait, says the Indonesian government.

Political and security affairs coordinating minister Dudung Abdurachman acknowledged Malaysia’s offer to help, but said assistance would only be considered if the fires were declared a national disaster.

Pending this, he said, the Indonesian government remained confident it could manage the crisis on its own.