Malaysia has prepared a list of assets that could be deployed to assist Indonesia in tackling fires and haze, but is still awaiting confirmation and permission from the neighbouring country.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the list was prepared by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) and has been conveyed through the Malaysian Embassy, Wisma Putra and the relevant ministry.
However, Indonesia has yet to confirm the form of cooperation required or give the green light for Malaysian assets to be deployed.
“So far, we have extended (the offer) through the embassy, Wisma Putra and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES)… and NRES has also prepared a list of assets.
“However, until now there has been no confirmation of any form of cooperation to utilise our assets to help put out the fires and so on. So, there is no permission yet to use Malaysian assets,” he said during the weekly Unity Government spokesperson press conference today.
Fahmi, who is also the Unity Government spokesperson, was responding to questions on the latest haze situation and the possibility of Malaysia working with Indonesia to tackle fires that are contributing to air pollution.
He said Malaysia remained ready to assist, but any deployment of assets would depend on confirmation and approval from Indonesia.
