Indonesian President Prabowo accepts Malaysia’s offer to help fight Kalimantan forest fires

Smoke shrouding the Equator Monument and the city of Pontianak in West Kalimantan.

Listen JAKARTA - Malaysia will send aircraft and dozens of firefighters to help tackle blazes in Indonesia , Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Sept 19, after receiving approval from Jakarta.

Indonesia has been battling wildfires for weeks in Borneo and Sumatra that have blanketed parts of the country, as well as neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore , in toxic haze.

The blazes were among the topics discussed on Sept 18 when Ahmad met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who approved Malaysia’s offer.

“I appreciate Mr. President’s willingness to accept Malaysia’s assistance, including a Bombardier CL-415MP aircraft, three helicopters, and 52 personnel willing to be mobilised to assist in the firefighting operations,” Ahmad said in a Facebook post on Sept 19.