KUALA LUMPUR — Indonesia has given the green light for Malaysia to assist in tackling forest and land fires in Kalimantan that have caused transboundary haze affecting neighbouring countries, including Malaysia.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto gave his approval during their meeting at Istana Hambalang in conjunction with his working visit to Jakarta, Bernama reports.
“President Prabowo welcomed the offer, meaning he has given approval for Malaysia to join efforts to address the haze and fires in Kalimantan,” he told a press conference in Jakarta today.
The assistance includes a Bombardier CL-415MP aircraft, three helicopters, and 52 officers and personnel from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
Zahid, who is also chairman of the Central Disaster Management Committee, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan was tasked with coordinating assistance with NADMA, APMM, the Malaysian Meteorological Department, RMAF, the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), and other relevant agencies.
“Now that approval has been obtained from President Prabowo, coordination at the ministry, department and agency levels must take place. I hope the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in carrying out this coordination, will ensure that all parties involved in the operation work in a coordinated manner,” he said.
Both countries also discussed and agreed on longer-term measures to prevent haze caused by such fires from recurring, Zahid added.
Zahid said Prabowo also informed him during the meeting that there were still 1,426 hotspots in Kalimantan, while the Indonesian government had taken legal action against 95 companies involved in open burning in the Borneo region.
Asked whether any Malaysian companies were among the 95 companies, Zahid said no such information had been provided so far, adding that the Indonesian authorities were looking into possible Malaysian involvement.
“The companies are registered as Indonesian companies. In terms of shareholding, however, some of them may have a small proportion of shares owned by Malaysian shareholders,” he said.
He said Malaysia welcomed the measures taken by Indonesia and, as its closest neighbour, would continue to cooperate in tackling fires and transboundary haze, particularly their impact on Sarawak.
Meanwhile, unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings were recorded in 17 areas throughout Malaysia as of 4pm today.
According to data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Sarawak recorded seven areas with unhealthy readings, namely IPD Serian (178), Kuching (171), Sri Aman (168), Samarahan (164), Sibu (157), Sarikei (152) and Bintulu (106).
In Johor, three areas recorded unhealthy readings, namely Larkin (158), Pasir Gudang (155) and Tangkak (102), followed by Kuala Lumpur with Cheras (149) and Batu Muda (121).
Seri Manjung in Perak recorded a reading of 159, while Shah Alam in Selangor recorded 152.
Putrajaya (121), Nilai in Negeri Sembilan (111) and Bukit Rambai in Melaka (108) were also at unhealthy levels.
38 other areas recorded moderate readings, while 12 areas recorded good air quality.
An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and 301 and above hazardous. – September 19, 2026