IPOH: Malaysia wants to help Indonesia resolve the transboundary haze issue rather than taking legal actions, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said while the Attorney General's Chambers could look into it, the government prefers coordination between both countries in handling the issue.
"Coordination to prevent it is better.
"Prevention is better than cure in the spirit of Asean, rather than reactive measures," he said at a press conference after launching the National Preparedness Month at the Ipoh Convention Centre here on Sunday (Oct 11).
"We will leave it to the Attorney General to see if there is a need to take legal actions but there is an Asean spirit," he added.
Haze from Indonesian wildfires has affected Malaysia, as well as Singapore, for more than a month, causing schools to be closed and respiratory issues among the people.
Ahmad Zahid said he has met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to offer assistance to combat forest fires.
He said the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) has also written to the Indonesian government but has yet to receive a reply.
"We assume in good faith, that perhaps they do not need our assistance.
"We are ready to offer our waterbombing Bombadier aircraft, three helicopters and a team of personnel," he added.
