REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Assistance from foreign countries to cope with smoke in Indonesia kept coming. After Singapore and Malaysia, Japan also planned to give assistance.

However, in contrast to Singapore and Malaysia who were sending the water bombing aircraft, Head of Data Information and Public Relations of National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said Japan would provide assistance in the form of chemicals poison.

"Japan will not provide assistance in form of helicopters or aircraft, but chemicals poison for fire extinguishing," said Sutopo after meeting President Joko Widodo at Presidential Palace, Monday (12/10).

According to Sutopo, Japanese government still coordinated with BNPB and Ministry of Foreign Affairs related to the assistance. In particular, BNPB also requested that Japan could send their experts who can guide the Indonesian team, concerning technical matters in using the chemicals that can be used to extinguish the fire.

Furthermore, Sutopo added that Australia also planned to send aid in the form of Hercules aircraft that can carry out waterbombing with a capacity of 15 thousand liters. Aircraft from Australia was expected to arrive in Palembang on Wednesday.

Until now, according to Sutopo, there were 11 aircraft and helicopters that had been operating in South Sumatra. Focus of fire fighting was concentrated in the province.

"The president ordered that all can be finished within two weeks," Sutopo added.

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