Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto welcomed an offer of foreign assistance from Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Friday to help combat severe forest fires that have triggered worsening transboundary haze across the region.
Malaysian Fire-Fighting Deployment and Regional Impact
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi traveled to Indonesia on Friday to offer fire-fighting help as forest fires continue to burn parts of the country’s forests. According to President Prabowo Subianto, the incoming Malaysian assistance will include three helicopters, an aircraft, and 52 personnel to aid containment efforts. Prabowo noted during a press briefing alongside Zahid that Malaysia previously deployed a water-bombing aircraft to South Sumatra in 2015.
The fires have generated heavy transboundary smoke that crossed borders into neighboring countries, including Malaysia, where air quality has steadily deteriorated. The regional haze problem surged significantly in August. Despite the cross-border impact, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry stated a day earlier that Jakarta had not received any formal haze complaint from its Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) neighbors. Ministry spokesman Vahd Nabyl A Mulachela explained that Indonesia and other ASEAN member states have kept each other informed regarding haze movements and ground-level response measures.
Did You Know? President Prabowo Subianto recalled that Malaysia previously assisted Indonesia with forest fire operations by deploying a water-bombing aircraft to South Sumatra in 2015.
International Assistance and Preventive Measures in Indonesia
Beyond the incoming Malaysian deployment, international support is already active on the ground. Three Japanese Chinook helicopters are currently operating to extinguish fires in West Kalimantan. Prabowo acknowledged that Jakarta has received offers of support from multiple nations, framing the fires as an environmental problem affecting many parties. “Our neighbors also suffer the impact. They want to help us, and it is something that we gladly accept,” Prabowo told reporters.
Looking ahead, Prabowo revealed that the Indonesian government intends to formulate comprehensive measures to prevent forest fires from recurring every few years. Emphasizing bilateral ties, the Indonesian leader stated that Jakarta has maintained very good terms with Malaysia. He remarked, “Let’s not turn things that bother us into something that is blown out of proportion.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific assistance did Malaysia offer to Indonesia?
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi offered assistance consisting of three helicopters, an aircraft, and 52 personnel.
Which foreign aircraft are currently fighting fires in West Kalimantan?
Three Japanese Chinook helicopters are actively extinguishing fires in West Kalimantan.
Did Indonesia receive any formal complaints from neighboring countries regarding the haze?
According to Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Vahd Nabyl A Mulachela, Jakarta had not received any formal haze complaints from its ASEAN neighbors, as member states have continuously updated each other on haze movements and ground actions.
How will regional cooperation evolve if the transboundary haze continues to impact neighboring air quality?
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