MALAYSIA has renewed its offer to help Indonesia combat forest and land fires as transboundary haze continues to affect public health and disrupt daily life, including forcing school closures in several Malaysian states.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia was closely monitoring the situation and had proposed an ASEAN-level cooperation mechanism to strengthen regional coordination, preparedness and collective action.
“I remain closely updated on developments surrounding the forest and land fires in Indonesia, which have also caused transboundary haze, affecting the health and lives of Malaysians, including forcing schools to close in several states and areas,” he said in a post on social media.
Anwar acknowledged Indonesia’s efforts to deploy tens of thousands of personnel and various aerial assets to contain the fires, noting that the operation was challenging given the extent of the affected areas and unpredictable weather conditions.
He said the cross-border problem required shared commitment and responsibility, reflecting the close ties between Malaysia and Indonesia and the spirit of regional cooperation.
“Malaysia remains ready to extend assistance, as offered previously,” he said.
Anwar added that genuine neighbourly relations required countries to support one another during disasters, with the safety and well-being of people across the region remaining the priority. - October 19, 2026