"Those that often made a complaint are Singapore and Malaysia. There is also the Philippines. We continue to maintain communication," he said after holding a muster of the forest and land fire task force in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Tuesday.
According to Gunawan, the smoke caused by forest fires in Indonesia has disturbed people's activities in those countries.
The majority of the smoke comes from several areas that are often hit by forest fires, such as Riau, Riau Islands, Aceh, Central Kalimantan, and Jambi.
Therefore, under the forest and land fire task force, the minister and all institutions are currently preparing forest fire mitigation efforts in those areas.
The task force is carrying out mitigation efforts before the areas prone to forest fires enter the long dry season.
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He affirmed that, starting from May 1, 2025, the task force will carry out several measures, such as weather modification targeting rain, water bombing, and helicopter patrols to tackle forest and land fires.
In addition, Gunawan invited local governments, communities, and private companies to work together to combat forest and land fires.
He said that the governments of the countries that are affected by the haze from the forest and land fires in Indonesia have also offered assistance to extinguish the fires.
"However, we are confident in our own capabilities, we are capable. God willing, we will learn from the successful experience of handling forest and land fires in 2023," he added.
Related news: Riau declares forest, land fire emergency until December
Translator: Walda Marison, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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