PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) have yet to receive a full response from Indonesia regarding the type of assistance required to tackle the forest fires causing the haze.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said Malaysia remained prepared to deploy assets to assist in firefighting efforts should the need arise.
READ MORE: Haze: Malaysia still awaiting Indonesia’s response to firefighting aid offer – DPM Zahid
Fahmi, who is also the spokesperson for the MADANI Government, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had emphasised the importance of maintaining strong diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Indonesia during today’s Cabinet meeting.
“The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the positive diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Indonesia and reiterated Malaysia’s readiness to cooperate, including by providing assets to support firefighting operations.
“So, the offer still stands. Malaysia remains prepared to provide assistance in the form of assets should it be required,” he said at a press conference following the Cabinet meeting here today.
Fahmi added that the Cabinet had also been briefed on the latest developments regarding the haze situation by Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.
He said the government had taken note of an announcement made by Indonesian authorities this morning regarding enforcement action against 11 companies in connection with the issue.
However, he said no Malaysian companies had so far been identified as being involved in forest-burning activities in Indonesia.