Haze: Malaysia still awaiting Indonesia’s response to firefighting aid offer, says DPM Zahid

IPOH, Oct 11 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealed that Malaysia is still waiting for Indonesia's response to its offer of assistance in combating forest and land fires causing transboundary haze in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The offer, made during a visit to Jakarta, included a firefighting aircraft, three helicopters, and 52 officers and personnel from Malaysia's Special Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART).

Despite sending written correspondence to Indonesian authorities, no response has been received. Ahmad Zahid expressed optimism and assumed the best, stating that Malaysia hopes the assistance will be useful. He emphasized SMART's role in managing domestic disasters and their readiness to offer aid to other countries affected by disasters.

SMART was recently recognized as the second-best rescue team in Asia after Japan, retaining its international Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) classification after a 36-hour assessment.