Transboundary haze: Jakarta mulls Malaysia's offer to help
KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia is carefully assessing Malaysia’s offer of firefighting assistance, with thick smoke limiting visibility and complicating plans for aerial operations, the Indonesian embassy here said.
Jakarta is weighing Malaysia's offer of firefighting assistance as thick haze obscures visibility and hampers aerial operations, according to the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur. The embassy stated that the Indonesian government is internally coordinating efforts to determine the most needed form of aid. Indonesia expressed gratitude for Malaysia's kind offer to help combat the current forest and land fires in the country.
However, the embassy emphasized that a thorough assessment is required due to the complex field conditions. The embassy explained that dense smoke from some fire areas limits visibility, affecting the effectiveness of aerial operations. On Sunday, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi conveyed Malaysia's offer of assistance to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka during his visit to Jakarta.
Both nations aim to resolve the transboundary haze crisis swiftly while ensuring the safety of personnel involved in the response. The embassy also noted that President Prabowo chaired a cabinet meeting to accelerate the response, instructing authorities to optimize available resources and enhance coordination among various sectors, including ministries, regional governments, the armed forces, police, and local communities.
The embassy highlighted that fires are burning on peatland, where flames can persist beneath the surface and reignite even after visible fires are extinguished.
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