PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is ready to deploy available assets to assist Indonesia in addressing fires amid the haze situation but is awaiting confirmation before any assistance can be mobilised, says Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
He said Wisma Putra and the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) had informed the Cabinet that a list of assets had been conveyed through diplomatic channels.
“However, so far, there has been no confirmation of any form of cooperation involving the use of Malaysian assets to assist in putting out fires and so on,” he told reporters after the Cabinet meeting here yesterday.
Fahmi said Malaysia had extended the offer through the Malaysian embassy, while NRES had also made the necessary preparations.
“But there has yet to be confirmation and approval for the use of Malaysian assets,” he said.
On whether Malaysian-owned companies operating in Indonesia could be held accountable under Malaysian law if they were found responsible for activities contributing to transboundary haze, Fahmi said the matter was not discussed in detail by the Cabinet.
Fahmi also said the haze situation in Sarawak appeared to have improved slightly.
However, conditions remained dependent on the weather as well as the occurrence of hotspots and open burning, particularly in neighbouring countries, he said.
NRES Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said assistance to Indonesia include “water bombing” operations using helicopters and firefighting support by amphibious aircraft.
“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,” he said.
Arthur said he had sent a letter to Indonesian Environment Minister Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat expressing Malaysia’s readiness to assist, following discussions during a bilateral meeting 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.
“This is particularly amid the El Nino phenomenon and southwest monsoon, which increase the risk of hot and dry weather in the region,” said Arthur.
The coordination of the assistance will be carried out in line with the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP), which stipulates that regional member states may offer assistance subject to a request from and consent of the receiving country.
In this regard, Arthur 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.
“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,” he said.
