Indonesian governor’s Singapore trip adds fury to forest fire, haze crisis
Por SCMP’s Asia desk — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement Indonesia This Week in Asia Politics Indonesian governor’s Singapore trip adds fury to forest fire, haze crisis
East Kalimantan’s Rudy Mas’ud said visit was for medical reasons, not leisure, as Indonesia accepts foreign aid to tackle the disaster
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SCMP’s Asia desk Published: 1:45pm, 16 Oct 2026 Updated: 1:49pm, 16 Oct 2026 The governor of an Indonesian province bearing the brunt of weeks of raging forest fires has sought to douse anger over his trip to Singapore , as Jakarta “welcomed” help from its neighbours choked by transboundary haze to contain the crisis.
East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas’ud, who was spotted having breakfast with his wife at the famous integrated resort Marina Bay Sands in a photo posted online on Sunday, said he travelled to the city state for a medical check-up.
Rudy’s clarification came after social media users accused him of going on a jaunt while ignoring the plight of residents gasping for clean air, calling the politician “Indonesia’s Marie Antoinette” and his actions “tone deaf”.
“His constituents are struggling to breathe, fighting for their lives while he living it up, completely unbothered,” a user said.
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