JAKARTA, Sept 19 — Indonesia has given the green light for Malaysia to assist in tackling forest and land fires in Kalimantan that have caused transboundary haze affecting neighbouring countries, including Malaysia. 

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto gave his approval during their meeting at Istana Hambalang in conjunction with his working visit to Jakarta.

“President Prabowo welcomed the offer, meaning he has given approval for Malaysia to join efforts to address the haze and fires in Kalimantan,” he told a press conference here today.

The assistance includes a Bombardier CL-415MP aircraft, three helicopters, and 52 officers and personnel from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).

Ahmad Zahid, also chairman of the Central Disaster Management Committee, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan was tasked with coordinating assistance with NADMA, APMM, the Malaysian Meteorological Department, RMAF, the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), and other relevant agencies.

“Now that approval has been obtained from President Prabowo, coordination at the ministry, department and agency levels must take place. I hope the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in carrying out this coordination, will ensure that all parties involved in the operation work in a coordinated manner,” he said.

He said the assistance was not merely a short-term measure to put out the fires, as both countries had also discussed and agreed on longer-term measures to prevent haze caused by such fires from recurring.

Ahmad Zahid said Prabowo also informed him during the meeting that there were still 1,426 hotspots in Kalimantan, while the Indonesian government had taken legal action against 95 companies involved in open burning in the Borneo region.

Asked whether any Malaysian companies were among the 95 companies, Ahmad Zahid said no such information had been provided so far, adding that the Indonesian authorities were looking into possible Malaysian involvement.

“The companies are registered as Indonesian companies. In terms of shareholding, however, some of them may have a small proportion of shares owned by Malaysian shareholders,” he said.

He said Malaysia welcomed the measures taken by Indonesia and, as its closest neighbour, would continue to cooperate in tackling fires and transboundary haze, particularly their impact on Sarawak. — Bernama