PETALING JAYA: Most of the fires observed in Indonesia occurred outside oil palm concessions owned by Malaysian companies, according to checks with the firms, says government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi, who is also the communications minister, said plantation and commodities minister Noraini Ahmad briefed the Cabinet on her ministry's findings today.
He said a Genting Plantations Bhd estate was, however, affected by a fire that spread from outside its boundaries, but the blaze was extinguished.
“The Malaysian Palm Oil Board will continue holding special engagement sessions with Malaysian plantation companies operating in Indonesia,” he said at a post-Cabinet press conference today.
Fahmi said the Cabinet was also informed that Kalimantan had generally experienced more than 100 days of little or no rain.
On Malaysia's offer to help Indonesia fight the fires, he said the assistance and assets offered about a month ago might need to be reassessed as the fires had spread extensively.
He said further discussions would be held to ensure the assistance met current needs, although there were no details yet on the assets to be deployed.
Fahmi also said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim would chair a meeting on Monday to discuss the haze, among other matters.
He said the health, education, and youth and sports ministries had stressed the need for closer coordination on outdoor sports and the opening of schools and other learning premises during the haze.
He said further details would be provided after Monday’s meeting.