“Perhaps they don’t need our help” – Zahid Hamidi Says Indonesia Has Yet to Respond to M’sia’s Offer to Help Put Out Forest Fires

Amid the ongoing haze and worrying API readings in Malaysia, the country has offered to help put out the forest fires in Indonesia.

According to Kosmo!, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the offer was extended during his official visit to Indonesia.

Zahid Hamidi gets no reply from Indonesia on forest fire aid

Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia had offered to send an aircraft, three helicopters and 55 personnel to help put out the forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

He said the offer was made during meetings with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka during his official visit to the country.

He added that the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the Foreign Ministry had also sent letters to their respective Indonesian counterparts regarding the offer, but had yet to receive a response.

Ahmad Zahid said working together through ASEAN would be a better way to address the forest fires and haze issue than pursuing legal action.

When asked whether Malaysia would take legal action against Indonesia over the matter, he said the decision would be left to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) to review.

“We should assume the best and perhaps they do not need our help. I am giving them the benefit of the doubt,” he said.

Indonesia government gets sued over “gross negligence” 

We previously reported that four plaintiffs, including a local chapter of Indigenous NGO AMAN, filed a class-action lawsuit against the Indonesian government at a court in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, last month, accusing it of “gross negligence” in handling recurring forest and land fires.

The lawsuit names 10 defendants, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and a provincial governor.

Following this, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Prabowo had agreed to take the necessary steps to address the haze affecting Malaysia.

Anwar also stressed that Indonesia needs to take immediate and effective action to tackle the source of the haze, adding that Malaysia is ready to cooperate in resolving the issue.

He also said the government is considering holding another meeting with ASEAN environment ministers to discuss the haze situation, with the Foreign Minister instructed to contact the ASEAN Secretariat.

Stay tuned to WORLD OF BUZZ for more updates!

Also read: Anwar Ibrahim: Prabowo Subianto Agrees to Take Action Over Worsening Haze