Kuala lumpur: Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to increase efforts to tackle cross-border haze to protect air quality, especially in preparation for the upcoming National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup announced that this commitment was made during a phone call with Indonesian Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the conversation underscored the urgency brought by the expected intensification of the El Ni±o phenomenon towards October 2026, coinciding with the Southwest Monsoon. Both nations have pledged to enhance prevention and early suppression strategies. The 69th National Day will be celebrated at Dataran Putrajaya on August 31, followed by Malaysia Day in Kuching, Sarawak, on September 16.
Arthur expressed gratitude to Indonesia for allowing cloud seeding operations to traverse its airspace, targeting areas near the shared border. He noted that the National Disaster Management Agency and the Malaysian Meteorological Department are preparing a timetable to coordinate activities with the Indonesian Armed Forces Commander. Malaysia is also ready to assist Indonesia in extinguishing fires, subject to Cabinet approval, reflecting a spirit of neighborliness and ASEAN solidarity.
Arthur acknowledged the swift measures undertaken by the Indonesian Government, led by President Prabowo, to enhance forest and land fire mitigation strategies. These include deploying an additional 1,500 Indonesian National Armed Forces personnel, using high-capacity helicopters for water bombing missions, and executing weather modification operations.
Arthur also stated that the NRES, through the Department of Environment and MetMalaysia, will continue to monitor hotspot activity and air quality closely. They will maintain communication with Indonesian authorities to ensure the welfare of citizens in both countries. By 10 am today, 10 areas across four states had recorded Air Pollutant Index readings in the unhealthy range, with Serian, Sarawak registering the highest level, nearing the very unhealthy air quality threshold.