The matter was discussed during a phone call today with Indonesian Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat, which also covered the hot weather, El Niño and transboundary haze affecting the region.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is ready to assist Indonesia in tackling forest and land fires amid growing concerns over worsening haze and the El Niño phenomenon, says Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.
Arthur said Malaysia was prepared to provide assistance if requested by Indonesia, particularly to help contain and extinguish fires quickly.
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He said the matter was discussed during a phone call today with Indonesian Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat, which also covered the hot weather, El Niño and transboundary haze affecting the region.
“Should there be a specific need from the Republic of Indonesia, the matter will be brought to the Cabinet for further consideration,” he said in a statement today.
Arthur also welcomed Indonesia’s intensified efforts under President Prabowo Subianto to combat forest and land fires, including the deployment of an additional 1,500 Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel, large-capacity helicopters for water-bombing operations and aggressive weather-modification efforts.
He said both countries had agreed to strengthen fire prevention and early firefighting measures as El Niño was expected to intensify towards October, coinciding with the Southwest Monsoon.
“These measures are critical to ensure air quality improves ahead of Malaysia’s 69th National Day celebrations on Aug 31 and Malaysia Day on Sept 16, which will be held in Kuching, Sarawak,” he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysia thanked Indonesia for granting official permission for its cloud-seeding operations to cross Indonesian airspace in areas along the two countries’ border.
The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) are currently preparing the operational schedule, which will be coordinated with the TNI commander, he said.
Arthur said the ministry would continue monitoring hotspots and air quality through the Department of Environment (DOE) and MetMalaysia.
Malaysia would also maintain close coordination with Indonesian authorities to safeguard the well-being of people in both countries, he said.
