JAKARTA, Sept 19 2026 — Indonesia has given the green light for Malaysia to help tackle forest and land fires in Kalimantan that have sent transboundary haze across the region, including into Malaysia.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said President Prabowo Subianto approved the offer when the two met at Istana Hambalang during Ahmad Zahid’s working visit to Jakarta.
“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 here today.
Malaysia’s package comprises a Bombardier CL-415MP aircraft, three helicopters, and 52 officers and personnel from the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the National Disaster Management Committee, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has been asked to coordinate the deployment with Nadma, the MMEA, the Malaysian Meteorological Department, the RMAF, the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (FRDM) and other related agencies.
“Since permission has been obtained from President Prabowo, coordination at ministry, department and agency level must now be carried out. I hope the Foreign Ministry, in coordinating this, can ensure that all parties involved in the operation work in a concerted manner,” he said.
He said the assistance is not meant only as a short-term firefighting mission. Both countries also discussed and agreed to plan longer-term measures so that haze from land and forest fires does not keep returning.
Prabowo told the meeting that 1,426 hotspots remain in Kalimantan. Indonesian authorities have also taken legal action against 95 companies linked to open burning on the island of Borneo.
Asked whether any Malaysian firms were among the 95, Ahmad Zahid said no such information had been provided so far, and that Indonesia is still examining whether there is Malaysian involvement.
“The companies are registered under Indonesian company names. In terms of shareholding, there may be a small number of those companies that have Malaysian shareholders,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia welcomes the steps Indonesia has taken and, as its closest neighbour, will continue to cooperate in dealing with the fires and transboundary haze, particularly the impact on Sarawak.
The offer was first conveyed to Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka earlier in Ahmad Zahid’s four-day visit. Jakarta has also received similar offers from other countries, including Japan.
The CL-415MP amphibious aircraft can scoop water from lakes, rivers or the sea for water-bombing runs. The same type of aircraft was previously sent to South Sumatra in 2015.
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