Malaysia cloud-seeding assist tests Indonesia’s limits as haze crosses borders

Malaysia has extended assistance to Indonesia in combating the recent surge of transboundary haze caused by forest and land fires. The offer includes conducting cloud-seeding operations in Indonesian airspace to help mitigate the worsening conditions. This proposal was discussed during a phone conversation between Malaysian Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup and his Indonesian counterpart, Jumhur Hidayat.

Malaysia is prepared to support Indonesia in extinguishing the fires and will bring any specific requests from Jakarta before the Malaysian cabinet for further consideration. The cloud-seeding operations will be coordinated with the Indonesian Military (TNI) and are currently being planned by Malaysia's disaster management agency and meteorological department.

The haze, fueled by prolonged dry season and an intensifying El Niño, has affected thousands of hotspots in Kalimantan and Sumatra, with Malaysia's Sarawak state being the most severely impacted. Schools in the region have been closed due to unhealthy air quality, and authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor activities.

Experts warn that the situation may worsen as the El Niño phenomenon and the southwest monsoon increase the risk of severe forest fires throughout October, while the rains that could help extinguish the fires are unlikely before November.