Indonesia still mum on Malaysia’s offer of firefighters, says Zahid
The deputy prime minister says 'we remain optimistic and assume the best' as perhaps Indonesia does not require our assistance.
Malaysia is still awaiting a response from Indonesia regarding an offer to provide firefighters to combat forest and plantation fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated. During a visit to Jakarta last month, Zahid met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and a representative of the vice-president to discuss the offer of assistance.
The National Disaster Management Agency and the foreign ministry have also sent written correspondence to their Indonesian counterparts, but no response has been received thus far. Zahid expressed a positive outlook, assuming that Indonesia may not require Malaysia's assistance. The Malaysian government has offered a firefighting aircraft, three helicopters, and 52 officers and personnel to aid in firefighting operations in Indonesia.
Additionally, the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart) has been recognized as the second-best rescue team in Asia, following Japan.
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