KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 — Malaysia remains ready to assist Indonesia in tackling forest and land fires that have caused transboundary haze, while proposing an ASEAN-level cooperation mechanism to strengthen collective action against the problem.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he was closely monitoring the fires, which have affected the health and daily lives of Malaysians, including forcing school closures in several states and areas.
“Malaysia remains ready to provide assistance, just as we have offered previously,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Anwar acknowledged the Indonesian government’s efforts in deploying tens of thousands of personnel and various aerial assets to contain the forest and land fires.
He noted that tackling such disasters was a complex challenge due to the vast areas affected and unpredictable weather conditions.
He stressed that the transboundary challenge must be addressed through shared commitment and responsibility, reflecting the close ties between Malaysia and Indonesia and the spirit of regional cooperation.
“We have proposed a cooperation mechanism at the ASEAN level to strengthen coordination, preparedness, and collective action in dealing with transboundary haze,” he said.
