REMBAU: Malaysia is prepared to provide any form of assistance to Indonesia in tackling transboundary haze, including seeking support from Gulf countries if necessary.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia understood the difficulties faced by Indonesia in managing extensive forest fires in areas far from its borders.
He said he would contact his Indonesian counterpart, Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir, soon to discuss the assistance required.
"I also agreed with United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Zayed Al Nahyan yesterday when he said that if assistance was needed, he was prepared to work with other countries to provide it.
"If Indonesia requires assistance, I will raise the matter with my counterparts in the Gulf countries to provide whatever help is needed," he told reporters after presenting Deepavali contributions to recipients in the Rantau state constituency at Dewan Orang Ramai Rantau here today.
Mohamad said Malaysia could not remain silent as forest fires in Indonesia also affected neighbouring countries, but any assistance operation would need to take safety considerations into account.
The Rembau member of Parliament said firefighting operations faced major challenges because the fires were located deep in remote areas, while thick haze had also reduced visibility.
He said developed countries such as Canada and the United States had also experienced forest fires, including those in Los Angeles that claimed many lives.
"It is easy for us to talk about it here, but imagine if the fires were 1,000km or even 500km from residential areas. There would be no other option but to use aircraft. However, aircraft would also be unable to carry out firefighting operations because of limited visibility," he said.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said Malaysia was prepared to provide humanitarian assistance to Yemen following discussions with Yemen's Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister, Dr Afrah Abdulaziz Al-Zouba, yesterday.
He also expressed hope that the civil war in Yemen could be brought to an end, saying the conflict had brought no benefits to the country's people and had left 22 million people bearing its consequences, including many facing starvation.
"Malaysia has expressed its sympathy and is prepared to participate in any relief mission or provide assistance.
"We also call on the parties with interests in the conflict from outside Yemen to come to the negotiating table so that the Yemeni people can enjoy a peaceful and prosperous life," he said.
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