KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 12 -- Indonesian Communications Agency head Syahganda Nainggolan has pushed back against regional criticism over transboundary haze, claiming that Indonesia's tropical rainforests are responsible for supplying oxygen to Malaysia and Singapore.

His remarks were featured in a video interview published by Indonesian media outlet Kompas.

"We don't just send smoke; when there is no smoke, we send oxygen.

"The oxygen in Singapore and Malaysia also comes from our forests," he said.

The controversial comments mirror previous diplomatic friction over the perennial environmental crisis, where Indonesian officials have pushed back against cross-border complaints by pointing to the ecological value of their forest cover.

Bilat...