Malaysia Offers Assets, Personnel to Help Indonesia Tackle Forest Fires

JAKARTA: Malaysia has formally offered assets, officers and personnel to Indonesia to help the country tackle forest fires that have caused haze, particularly in Sarawak.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the assets offered include a Bombardier aircraft, three helicopters and 52 officers and personnel.

He said the proposal was presented to Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to be conveyed to the country’s President, Prabowo Subianto.

“This would enable Malaysia to assist in firefighting efforts by conducting water-bombing operations in affected areas, subject to Indonesia’s approval,” he said at a press conference after signing the Memorandum of Understanding between Indonesia and Malaysia on Cooperation in Rural Development on Thursday.

He said Malaysia was deeply concerned about the fires as they occur every year, whether from open burning in Kalimantan or Sumatra, with the resulting haze reaching Malaysia.

“We want to help Indonesia tackle this problem together,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said the 52 officers and personnel offered comprise representatives from disaster management agencies, including the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Chairman of the Central Disaster Management Committee, said Malaysia had no intention of interfering in Indonesia’s affairs, but wanted to help address the transboundary haze problem.

“We have no intention of interfering in Indonesia’s affairs, but we want to help ensure that the haze affecting Sarawak in particular can be resolved quickly.

“At the same time, we will continue discussing bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia through specific diplomatic channels because this problem occurs every year,” he said.

He added that both countries should also avoid blaming each other and instead focus on finding solutions.

“What is important is that we resolve this problem before it recurs every year. This means planning measures to prevent it from happening,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia also maintains close cooperation with Indonesia’s disaster management authorities through meetings, joint exercises and involvement in regional disaster management efforts.

He said this was in line with his previous visit to the ASEAN Centre for Disaster Management in Jakarta.

“So, we frequently hold meetings and conduct joint cooperation and exercises,” he said.

Sinar Harian