Jakarta, Oct. 23 -- The government has disbursed Rp240 billion (around US$13.2 million) in presidential assistance to authorities in West Kalimantan to strengthen efforts to contain forest and land fires, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said.

In a statement cited in Jakarta on Friday, he said the funds were distributed in two phases, with Rp200 billion allocated to the West Kalimantan provincial government and 10 district and municipal administrations.

"In the first phase, Rp200 billion has been transferred directly to Governor [Ria Norsan] and a number of district heads," Antoni remarked.

He further said that the central government had sought President Prabowo Subianto's approval for additional funding to support regions not covere...