Amid the ongoing haze, Malaysia has offered to send an aircraft, three helicopters and 55 personnel to help put out the forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously said that the offer was made during meetings with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka during his official visit to Indonesia.
Indonesia responds to Malaysia’s offer to help tackle forest fires
In a recent update, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Dudung Abdurachman, said the country has yet to declare the forest fires a national disaster, as the government believes it can still handle the crisis using its own resources, as reported by BERNAMA.
He also pointed out that there are technical challenges to consider when accepting outside assistance, including fuel distribution and other logistical issues.
“For now, we are still capable. Our country is still capable, as I mentioned earlier. Malaysia has offered assistance, which will be provided if a national disaster is declared.
“This is not just about assistance, but there are also many technical challenges on the ground, including fuel distribution and other logistical issues,” he said.
Anwar says Malaysia is ready to work with Indonesia
We previously reported that Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had expressed Malaysia’s readiness to work with Indonesia to tackle the forest fires, especially as API readings in Malaysia have reached worrying levels.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also revealed that the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the Foreign Ministry had sent letters to their Indonesian counterparts regarding the offer, but had not received a response at the time.
He added that working together through ASEAN would be a better way to address the forest fires and haze issue, rather than resorting to legal action.
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