PETALING JAYA: A shift in wind patterns towards the Indian Ocean within the next two weeks could help ease transboundary haze in the peninsula and Sarawak, says deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said meteorological department director-general Hisham Anip had conveyed the forecast to him.
"This change in wind direction could spare Malaysians from continuing to fall victim to prolonged haze," he was quoted as saying by Bernama at a press conference in Beijing, China, today.
Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, is in China for a five-day working visit to Beijing and Tianjin.
On Malaysia's offer to assist Indonesia in fighting the forest and land fires behind the haze, Zahid said Indonesia had deployed many of its own personnel and assets to tackle the situation.
"Malaysia has offered some assistance, but Indonesia itself has deployed over 19,000 personnel.
"I do not think they will require help from Malaysia because they possess ample personnel and equipment to help extinguish the fires.
"However, we understand that the fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra cannot be extinguished immediately," he said.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously said he had contacted Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto to convey Malaysia's readiness to assist.
Zahid said Malaysia had offered firefighting assistance comprising one firefighting aircraft, three helicopters and 52 personnel.