Pekanbaru, Riau, April 29 -- Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan informed that his ministry is strengthening diplomatic relations with countries affected by the smoke from forest and land fires in Indonesia.

"Those that often made a complaint are Singapore and Malaysia. There is also the Philippines. We continue to maintain communication," he said after holding a muster of the forest and land fire task force in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Tuesday.

According to Gunawan, the smoke caused by forest fires in Indonesia has disturbed people's activities in those countries.

The majority of the smoke comes from several areas that are often hit by forest fires, such as Riau, Riau Islands, Aceh, Central Kalimantan, and ...