PETALING JAYA — Malaysia remains ready to deploy firefighting assets to Indonesia to help combat forest fires that have contributed to the regional haze, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has said.
He said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reiterated the offer during the Oct 23 Cabinet meeting, while expressing appreciation for the strong diplomatic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
“The offer still stands. Malaysia remains ready to provide assets if they are needed,” Fahmi told a press conference.
However, Malaysia has yet to receive a full response from Indonesia on the type of assistance it is prepared to accept. The Foreign Ministry and the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry are awaiting further details from Indonesian authorities.
Fahmi said no Malaysian companies had so far been identified as being involved in forest-burning activities in Indonesia. He said the Cabinet was informed that Indonesian authorities had taken action against 11 companies following an announcement earlier in the day.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup also briefed the Cabinet on recent developments related to the haze situation.