PUTRAJAYA, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) have yet to receive a full response from Indonesia regarding the type of assistance required to address the forest fires causing the haze.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said Malaysia remains prepared to deploy assets to assist in firefighting efforts, should the need arise.
Fahmi, who also serves as the spokesperson for the MADANI Government, noted that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during today’s Cabinet meeting, emphasised the importance of maintaining strong diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Indonesia.
“The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the positive diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Indonesia and reiterated Malaysia’s readiness to cooperate including by providing assets to support firefighting operations.
“So, the offer still stands. Malaysia remains prepared to provide assistance in the form of assets, should it be required,” he said during a press conference following the Cabinet meeting here today.
Fahmi added that the Cabinet was also briefed on the latest developments regarding the haze situation by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.
Elaborating further, he mentioned that the government has taken note of an announcement made by Indonesian authorities this morning regarding enforcement actions taken against 11 companies in connection with the issue.
However, he stated that, thus far, no Malaysian companies have been identified as being involved in forest-burning activities in Indonesia.
-- BERNAMA