Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia received all inputs and assistance offered by some ASEAN member countries such as Singapore and Malaysia to overcome the current haze caused by the fires which razed the forests in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

"We are trying to understand and positively respond to the attention from some ASEAN member countries, as we wish to forge effective cooperation in dealing with the forest fires which have sent haze to the skies over Malaysia and Singapore," Foreign Minister Hasan Wirajuda said here on Wednesday.

At present, Singapore has submitted a proposal for five ASEAN member countries to get together to discuss and handle the haze which occurred almost every year, he said.

This initiative, he added, was presented by Singaporean Environment Minister Yaacob Ibrahim to his Indonesian counterpart Rahmat Witoelar on October 10. Singapore called for a meeting of five ASEAN environment ministers on October 13 in the island republic.

In the meantime, Hassan added, Indonesia wished the meeting could be held in Pekan Baru as this city is closer to the location of the forest fires.

Till now, Indonesia has been in constant contact with its neighboring countries Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam for a meeting in Pekan Baru.

The cooperation is not aimed to divide the responsibility, but how the five ASEAN countries can effectively overcome the forest fires and haze. "We will certainly welcome and be realistic to all kinds of cooperation being offered," he said.

Hassan said there was an offer for cloud seeding to handle the disaster.

However, Indonesia still wished first to discuss the haze as complained by some ASEAN member countries provided the meeting is held in Indonesia.