Jakarta. An Indonesian lawmaker has urged Malaysia and Singapore to help prevent and tackle forest and land fires in Kalimantan rather than protest the haze and fires affecting the region, arguing that companies and individuals from both countries also operate oil palm plantations in Indonesia.

Marwan Dasopang, chairman of the House of Representatives’ Commission VIII overseeing social and religious affairs, said Indonesia should explain to its neighbors that containing fires across the vast Kalimantan region is a complex challenge.

“But Malaysia and Singapore also have plantations in Indonesia. They should not just protest but also take part in prevention efforts,” Marwan said Friday.

He said Malaysian and Singaporean companies, as well as individuals, operate oil palm plantations in areas affected by fires.

Indonesia, he added, was open to receiving assistance from both countries but said they should also acknowledge their role in activities linked to the fires.

“From a state-to-state perspective, we can apologize and ask for help. But in terms of activities on the ground, they also have a role there,” said Marwan, a politician from the National Awakening Party (PKB).

His comments came as forest and land fires spread across parts of Kalimantan, affecting air quality and disrupting transportation.

House Speaker Puan Maharani separately called on the government to map fire hotspots in real time and take firm action against those responsible for burning land, particularly in oil palm plantation areas.

Puan said the government should prioritize areas based on peatland conditions, drought severity, and proximity to residential areas.

“Protection of the public must be given the same priority as firefighting efforts,” Puan said in a statement published on the House website Friday. She also called for authorities to regularly monitor air quality in affected areas.

She urged the government to deploy additional personnel, pumps, water tankers, water sources, and aerial support to districts facing the highest fire risks.

The central government should also intervene directly when local authorities lack the capacity to respond, Puan said.

“Every hotspot must be traced to the party responsible,” she said, adding that the fires were affecting public health, children’s education, and economic activity.

The fires have also raised concerns over transboundary haze, which can affect neighboring Malaysia and Singapore when smoke crosses national borders.

Indonesia has repeatedly faced pressure from its Southeast Asian neighbors over haze generated by forest and plantation fires, particularly during dry seasons. Authorities have attributed fires to a range of factors, including dry conditions and land-clearing practices, while companies and individuals found responsible can face criminal and administrative sanctions.

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