Malaysia Commends Indonesia's Swift Response to Forest Fires

August 25, 2026 | 09:16 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Malaysia has expressed appreciation for Indonesia's quick response to forest fires and has offered assistance if needed.

"Malaysia appreciates and supports the swift action of the Indonesian government under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto in increasing efforts to extinguish forest and land fires," said Malaysian Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Arthur Joseph Kurup on Tuesday, August 25, as quoted by BERNAMA, citing ANTARA.

Arthur said that Malaysia appreciates Indonesia's deployment of 1,500 Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel to combat forest fires. Malaysia also appreciates the use of large-capacity helicopters for water bombing and the aggressive implementation of weather modification operations on land.

Arthur said Malaysia and Indonesia also agreed to redouble their prevention and early response efforts to address transboundary haze to ensure improved air quality, especially ahead of Independence Day and Malaysia Day celebrations. According to him, the issue had been discussed with the Indonesian Minister of Environment, Jumhur Hidayat, via telephone.

"Given that the El Nino phenomenon is expected to increase in intensity in October 2026, along with the Southwest Monsoon, both countries are committed to redoubling their prevention and early response efforts," Arthur said.

The 2026 Malaysian Independence Day celebration will be held in Dataran Putrajaya on August 31, while the Malaysia Day celebration will take place in Kuching, Sarawak, on September 16.

Arthur said the Malaysian government expressed its appreciation to Indonesia for approving official permission for aircraft to cross Indonesian airspace to carry out Cloud Seeding Operations (OPA) covering areas along the border between the two countries.

He said the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) were preparing an operational schedule that would be coordinated with the TNI Commander.

Arthur stated that, in the spirit of ASEAN solidarity, Malaysia is ready to assist Indonesia if needed. Malaysia is also ready to discuss these assistance efforts at cabinet meetings.

Arthur said that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability will continue to closely monitor hotspot movement and current air quality through the Malaysian Department of Environment and Meteorology. The ministry will also maintain close coordination with Indonesian authorities for the welfare of people in both countries.

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