World · Malaysia Bureau
Malaysia extends aircraft, helicopter support to Indonesia for fire response
Malaysia has formally offered Indonesia military and civilian aircraft to assist in combating forest fires that have triggered regional haze concerns. The assistance announcement comes as both nations grapple with seasonal transboundary smoke pollution.
LSN Malaysia ·
Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi announced the country's offer of aerial support to help Indonesia tackle ongoing forest fires affecting the region. The assistance package includes both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters to aid firefighting and emergency response operations.
The offer addresses growing environmental concerns in Southeast Asia, where forest fires in Indonesia regularly produce transboundary haze affecting neighbouring countries including Malaysia and Singapore. Such seasonal fires have become a recurring challenge, with smoke impacting air quality and public health across the region.
Zahid's announcement reflects Malaysia's commitment to regional cooperation in environmental protection and disaster management. The deployment of such resources typically involves coordination between defence and environmental agencies of both nations to ensure effective deployment and operational support.
The assistance comes as both countries work to strengthen bilateral cooperation on environmental issues. Indonesia has faced recurring challenges in controlling forest fires, particularly during dry seasons when conditions become conducive to large-scale blazes across peatlands and forested areas.