{
  "id": 15377642,
  "title": "Malaysia considers helicopters, water-bombing aircraft to fight Indonesia fires",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/malaysia-considers-helicopters-water-bombing-aircraft-to-fight",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T07:36:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1558237/malaysia-considers-helicopters-water-bombing-aircraft-fight-indonesia"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia is contemplating sending helicopters and water-bombing aircraft to aid Indonesia in tackling extensive forest fires that have engulfed the country. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan revealed that senior officials from both nations are deliberating on the proposal before presenting it to the cabinet for approval. The potential assistance includes deploying helicopters and water-bombing planes to bolster firefighting efforts in the impacted regions. Following the closing of the 10th National Conference of Persatuan Solidariti Nasional (PerSoNa) today, the outcome of these discussions will be forwarded to the cabinet for final approval. Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had previously stated that Malaysia is prepared to provide support to Indonesia following President Prabowo Subianto's decision to accept assistance offers from neighboring countries. Mohamad emphasized that any aid operation must prioritize safety, as the fires have severely hampered firefighting operations due to their remote inland locations and dense haze, which severely limits visibility. Visibility is reported to be below 50 meters, with the pollution index in Kalimantan reaching 1,000. The hazardous conditions previously forced a Japanese team involved in assistance efforts to return home after being unable to continue their mission. Mohamad assured that any aerial assistance would be carried out cautiously to avoid endangering pilots and crew.",
  "summary": "AYER KEROH: Malaysia is considering deploying helicopters and water bombers to assist Indonesia in combating raging forest fires across the republic.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Antara News Indonesia",
        "title": "Indonesia's first aircraft carrier ready for disaster response",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/indonesias-first-aircraft-carrier-ready-for-disaster-response",
        "published": "2026-10-18T05:34:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "‘We cannot sit back’: Malaysia offers aircraft to fight Indonesia forest fires despite dangerously poor visibility",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/we-cannot-sit-back-malaysia-offers-aircraft-to-fight-indonesia-forest",
        "published": "2026-10-18T07:21:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}