PUTRAJAYA ( WNAM MONITORING): Malaysia is prepared to extend assistance if needed by Indonesia to tackle forest and land fires and reduce the risk of transboundary haze pollution.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the assistance offered by Malaysia includes aerial firefighting capabilities, including “water bombing” operations using helicopters, firefighting support using amphibious aircraft, as well as cloud seeding operations.
“The form and scope of the assistance will be detailed jointly with the Indonesian authorities based on the needs and suitability of the situation on the ground, and subject to the agreement of both governments.
“The capabilities are in line with the assistance preparedness identified through the National Disaster Management Agency, involving the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Malaysian Meteorological Department and Royal Malaysian Air Force,” he said in a statement today.
According to Arthur, he had sent a letter to Indonesian Environment Minister Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat expressing Malaysia’s readiness to extend assistance to Indonesia. The offer follows discussions between Arthur and Mohammad Jumhur during a bilateral meeting in Bali on July 8, as well as a phone call on Aug 24.
“Both countries have expressed their commitment to strengthening preventive measures and early firefighting efforts in addressing the risk of transboundary fires and haze, particularly amid the El Niño phenomenon and Southwest Monsoon, which increase the risk of hot and dry weather in the region,” he said.
The coordination of the assistance will be carried out in line with the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP), which stipulates that ASEAN member states may offer assistance subject to a request from and consent of the receiving country.
In this regard, he said Malaysia fully respected Indonesia’s sovereignty and was prepared to detail the form, scope and coordination of the assistance with the Indonesian authorities should the offer be accepted.
“Malaysia believes that the challenges posed by forest and land fires as well as transboundary haze need to be addressed through early action, close coordination and a spirit of shared responsibility.
“Therefore, close cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia is crucial to address the current situation and strengthen both countries’ preparedness for risks that may increase throughout the period of hot and dry weather,” said Arthur.
