Jakarta: Indonesia has given the green light for Malaysia to assist in tackling forest and land fires in Kalimantan that have caused transboundary haze affecting neighbouring countries, including Malaysia. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto gave his approval during their meeting at Istana Hambalang in conjunction with his working visit to Jakarta.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, President Prabowo welcomed the offer, indicating his approval for Malaysia to join efforts to address the haze and fires in Kalimantan. The assistance will include a Bombardier CL-415MP aircraft, three helicopters, and 52 officers and personnel from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
Ahmad Zahid, also chairman of the Central Disaster Management Committee, noted that Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan was tasked with coordinating assistance with NADMA, APMM, the Malaysian Meteorological Department, RMAF, the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), and other relevant agencies. He emphasized the importance of coordination at the ministry, department, and agency levels to ensure that all parties involved in the operation work in a coordinated manner.
He further explained that the assistance was not merely a short-term measure to extinguish the fires, as both countries had also discussed and agreed on longer-term measures to prevent haze from recurring. Prabowo informed Ahmad Zahid that there were still 1,426 hotspots in Kalimantan, and the Indonesian government had taken legal action against 95 companies involved in open burning in the Borneo region.
When questioned about the involvement of Malaysian companies, Ahmad Zahid stated that no such information had been provided so far, although the Indonesian authorities were investigating possible Malaysian involvement. He clarified that while the companies are registered as Indonesian companies, some may have a small proportion of shares owned by Malaysian shareholders.
He concluded by expressing Malaysia's support for the measures taken by Indonesia and affirmed that Malaysia, as its closest neighbour, would continue to cooperate in tackling fires and transboundary haze, particularly their impact on Sarawak.