Indonesia and Malaysia to Discuss Terms of Forest Fire Assistance Offer
Indonesia and Malaysia discuss terms of forest fire assistance. Technical talks cover aircraft, personnel deployment, and firefighting cooperation.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) will hold technical discussions with Malaysia’s National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) to assess Putrajaya’s offer of aircraft and personnel to help fight forest and land fires in Indonesia, the agency announced on Tuesday.
The talks, which will be facilitated by Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry, came after BNPB chief Lt Gen Kristomei Sianturi met Malaysia’s Ambassador-designate to Indonesia, Datuk Muzafar Shah Mustafa, at BNPB’s headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday.
BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre acting head Berton Panjaitan said the discussions would cover the suitability of the offered assistance, deployment readiness, logistical requirements and aviation safety procedures. He did not specify when the talks would take place.
Berton said the discussions would also examine alternative forms of support in the event that thick smoke and poor visibility prevented aerial firefighting operations from being carried out.
Malaysia’s Offer Under Review
Malaysia has offered Indonesia one CL-415MP amphibious aircraft, one Mi-171 helicopter and 44 personnel, including crew members and technicians, to support firefighting efforts on the ground.
“The proposed assistance will be assessed further to ensure it meets operational requirements and actual conditions on the ground,” Berton said in a statement.
He added that operational control would remain with the Indonesian government, and that all international assistance would be aligned with Indonesia’s disaster response requirements and existing regulations.
Beyond firefighting support, both countries were also said to be exploring cooperation in early warning and detection technology, data analysis, assessment of affected areas, firefighting strategies, research and personnel training.
Scale of Indonesia’s Response
As of 25 October, Indonesia had deployed 71,878 ground personnel and 63 aircraft to combat the fires — comprising 39 water-bombing helicopters and 24 aircraft assigned to patrol and weather modification operations, Berton said.
