For months, Malaysians have been choking in thick smog that has blanketed over the country due to numerous forest fires that have ravaged Indonesia and further exacerbated by dry and hot weather.
Given the health and environmental risk it posed to the public, the Malaysian government has repeatedly reached out to Indonesian officials and offered help to deal with transboundary haze but have been ignored thus far.
‘Maybe they don’t our help’
Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he had personally met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to offer help in extinguishing the fires.
On top of that, National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) had also written a letter to the Indonesian government concerning the matter.
Unfortunately, no official response has been given thus far.
We assume in good faith, that perhaps they do not need our assistance,” said Zahid as quoted by The Star.
Despite the silence, Zahid said Malaysia is more than ready to offer its waterbombing Bombadier aircraft, three helicopters and a team of personnel.
Lawsuit unncessary
Zahid added that while it was possible for ASEAN countries to sue Indonesia over the haze, he said coordination between affected parties was better than “reactive measures”.
Aside from Malaysia, neighbouring country Singapore is also choking in the haze and saw its Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) level soar above unprecedented levels, which led to it being crowned as the world’s most polluted city on Oct 9.
Amidst the outrage, Indonesian officials have dug their heels in and refused to take responsibility over the haze by putting the blame on Malaysian and Singaporean-linked companies.
Its Communications Agency (Bakom) head even chided its neighbours for forgetting that Indonesia’s forests provided fresh oxygen for them as well:
‘We Send Oxygen Too’ – Indonesia Defends Itself Amid Haze Complaints From M’sia & S’pore
