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Indonesia: Forest fires break out on Malaysian-controlled land

Indonesian Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar said on September 13 that some forest fires in its territory had started on land used by subsidiaries of Malaysian companies.
Indonesia: Forest fires break out on Malaysian-controlled land ảnh 1A forest fire in Indonesia (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – IndonesianMinister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar said on September 13that some forest fires in its territory had started on land used bysubsidiaries of Malaysian companies.

Earlier, Malaysia has said smoke from fireson Indonesia’s Sumatra and Borneo islands over the past month has drifted overthe border, forcing it to close schools and issue public health alerts.

Indonesia has dismissed those accusationssaying fires have broken out in other countries, and some of the fires inIndonesia had been spotted in palm oil plantations owned by at least foursubsidiaries of Malaysian companies.

The plantations had been sealed off afterthe fires were spotted, the Indonesian minister said.

Smog occurs often in the dry season in someSoutheast Asian nations, including Malaysia, due to traditional burningpractices in agriculture in Indonesia to clear land for palm oil and pulpplantations.

Malaysia is planning to seed clouds to makerain to reduce dust level. Local authorities recently handed out 500,000 facemasks to people in Sarawak state as air quality in the eastern state hasreached unhealthy levels due to smog from forest fires./.
VNA
#Indonesian Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar #Indonesia #Malaysia #forest fires #Malaysian companies #public health alerts #palm oil plantations #vietnamplus #Vietnam News Agency Indonesia Malaysia
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