Kuala lumpur: The return of transboundary haze across parts of Malaysia has brought renewed attention to forest and land fires in the region. Malaysia has responded by offering firefighting assistance to Indonesia, highlighting the transnational nature of the haze issue.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the offer of a Bombardier CL-415MP aircraft, three helicopters, and 52 officers and personnel from the National Disaster Management Agency, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. This offer was communicated to Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka during his visit to Indonesia and awaits approval from President Prabowo Subianto.
The CL-415MP aircraft, operated by MMEA, is equipped for aerial firefighting and was previously used in South Sumatra in 2015, where it released 546,000 liters of water over five days. Ahmad Zahid emphasized that Malaysia's offer is aimed at assisting Indonesia in managing the transboundary haze, not interfering with its internal affairs.
The urgency of the situation is evident from the air quality readings in Malaysia. As of 5pm on Friday, 32 areas recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings. The highest reading was 183 in Johan Setia, Selangor, followed by other areas like Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, and Sarawak.
The Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System portal indicates that an API reading between 101 to 200 is considered unhealthy. The haze has also triggered questions about the role of the palm oil industry in regional fires. The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) stated that regional fires cannot be attributed solely to oil-palm cultivation, as hotspots are found across various land uses, including unmanaged areas and small-scale farming plots.
Director-General Datuk Badrul Hisham Mohd pointed out that human land-clearing activities are a primary cause of fires, with climate anomalies like El Ni±o exacerbating the situation. He stressed that while El Ni±o and dry weather can amplify fires, they do not initiate them. Fires in the region are generally linked to human activities, and prolonged dry spells increase the risk of fire spread, particularly in peat areas.
Badrul Hisham also clarified that the Malaysian oil palm industry does not practice seasonal open-burning, as zero burning is enforced through the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification Scheme. He noted that fire risk rises during dry periods, such as the southwest monsoon from June to September.
The distinction between satellite hotspots and actual fires is crucial, as hotspots indicate possible fires but do not confirm open burning or identify the culprits. Malaysia's immediate focus is on extinguishing fires, but long-term solutions require prevention, land management, and international cooperation.
As satellite hotspots alone cannot resolve the palm oil debate, understanding the actual sources and causes of fires is vital for Malaysia, Indonesia, and the region in managing the haze issue effectively.