Is Indonesia’s haze rhetoric ‘unempathetic’? Oxygen quip tests regional cooperation

An Indonesian official's recent statement that the country exports "oxygen" rather than just smoke to its neighbors has drawn renewed criticism regarding Jakarta's response to its annual forest fires. Syahganda Nainggolan, the new head of the Government Communication Agency, made these remarks, which have reignited concerns over Indonesia's management of ongoing forest and peatland fires. Analysts suggest that this defensive nationalism could jeopardize regional cooperation efforts aimed at addressing the recurring haze crisis. The article implies these fires are a persistent issue for Indonesia and its neighbors.