Forest fires become burning issue as Indonesia's election fight heats up

Fires at a forest in Pelalawan, Riau province, in 2015. PHOTO: AFP
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JAKARTA - A day after Indonesia's two presidential candidates went head-to-head on issues ranging from the economy to the environment, campaign managers from both camps exchanged heated arguments on Monday (Feb 18), and one topic that stood out was forest fire mitigation.

The follow-up arguments were seen as their move to pick up leftovers from the televised 90-minute encounter in a Jakarta hotel on Sunday night where both men outlined their competing views.

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