KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is ready to send firefighters to Indonesia to help put out forest fires in the republic.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the government is seriously concerned about the problem which could cause haze, and is poised to provide assistance at any time.
“I have discussed (the matter) with Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who is in charge of the Fire Department and the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart) and he has given the assurance that they are ready at any time,” he told reporters when met at the Smart Tunnel Run 2017 here yesterday.
Indonesia’s Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) recently warned of an increase in forest fire threats due to the ongoing drought in the country that is expected to worsen, but some hots pots have already been detected in Aceh, causing the area to experience haze.
However, the Indonesian Peat Soil Recovery Agency has reportedly given its assurance that neighbours like Malaysia and Singapore would not be experiencing haze, as it has already taken steps to halt forest fires.
Following his meeting with the governors of Riau and Jambi, Wan Junaidi said he is planning to meet with the governor of Aceh next, to discuss the matter. — BERNAMA