JAKARTA, Aug. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will issue a decree on combating forest fires from the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan that have sent thick haze to neighboring Malaysia.

    The decree is expected to come out Friday, Minister of Forestry Malam Sambat Kaban was quoted by Detikcom online news service as saying.

    "This week we will resort to artificial rain in areas where hot spots are found," he said.

    Kaban said 10 foreign firms involved in the forest incineration for land clearance but he declined to elaborate.

    Kaban on Thursday met with his Malaysian counterpart Peter Chinto discuss bilateral efforts to combat the choking haze shrouding peninsular Malaysia.

    They agreed to use man-made rain to put out forest fires on Indonesian islands. Enditem