Malaysia offers aircraft, other assets to help tackle Indonesia’s forest fires

Malaysia has officially offered its assistance to Indonesia in tackling the issue of forest fires, including the deployment of a Bombardier CL-415MP aircraft and additional personnel. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi conveyed the offer during a meeting with Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, during the latter's four-day working visit to Malaysia.

The assistance would involve three helicopters, 52 officers and personnel from Malaysia's National Disaster Management Agency, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, and Royal Malaysian Air Force. The offer is being referred to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for approval. Malaysia's Bombardier CL-415MP aircraft was previously deployed to south Sumatra in 2015, where it dropped over 546,000 liters of water during a five-day mission.

The aircraft would draw water from lakes, seas or rivers before dropping it over fire-affected areas. Zahid emphasized that Malaysia is deeply concerned about the annual forest fires in Indonesia, which contribute to the haze affecting Malaysia. He stressed that the assistance is aimed at addressing the transboundary haze problem, not interfering in Indonesia's affairs, and called for a mitigation plan to prevent such issues in the future.