Malaysia is urging Indonesia to speed up operational discussions so that Malaysian teams can be deployed to help fight forest fires that have sent thick haze across the region and pushed air quality in Malaysia toward dangerous levels.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Indonesia has already accepted Malaysia’s offer of assistance following an agreement with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. However, the two countries are still working out important operational details, including how the mission will be conducted and where Malaysian personnel will be deployed.
Speaking to reporters after attending the graduation ceremony of the Diploma in Diplomacy Programme 2026, Mohamad stressed that the discussions need to move quickly as the haze situation in Malaysia continues to deteriorate.
He said Malaysia is increasingly concerned that air quality in affected areas has moved beyond unhealthy levels and is nearing the hazardous range.
Mohamad said the priority now is to settle the operational arrangements between the two countries so Malaysia can act quickly and provide practical assistance on the ground.
“I hope that the negotiations for this operation, on how and where the team from Malaysia that can help can be expedited because the haze situation in our country has become extremely severe,” he said.
The proposed assistance comes as extensive forest fires in Indonesia, particularly in Kalimantan, continue to raise concerns over the spread of transboundary haze. Such conditions can affect visibility, daily activities and public health across neighbouring countries.
For Malaysia, the issue is not simply an environmental concern. When smoke from large-scale fires crosses national borders, communities thousands of kilometres away can also feel the consequences. Schools, businesses, outdoor activities, transportation and vulnerable groups can all be affected when air quality declines.
Mohamad said he personally hopes the remaining operational matters can be resolved as soon as possible, allowing Malaysian personnel to travel to Indonesia and assist in tackling the fires.
“I personally hope that the operational issues between the two can be expedited and decided so that we can send a team to assist,” he said.
The latest development follows an earlier announcement that Indonesia had accepted Malaysia’s offer to assist with firefighting efforts after forest fires continued to contribute to weeks of haze in the region.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously announced the development during his working visit to Indonesia last month.
According to reports, Indonesian President Prabowo agreed to Malaysia’s offer to help tackle the forest fires in Kalimantan, where more than 1,400 hotspots had been detected.
The situation highlights how environmental emergencies can quickly become regional challenges. Forest fires may begin in one country, but the resulting smoke can cross borders and affect millions of people, making cooperation between neighbouring governments increasingly important.
Malaysia’s push to accelerate the talks reflects the urgency surrounding the current haze situation. Rather than waiting for conditions to worsen further, authorities want the operational framework finalised so assistance can be delivered where it is most needed.
The coming days will be important as Malaysia and Indonesia work to determine the practical details of the proposed mission. For people affected by the worsening haze, the hope is simple: that regional cooperation can translate into faster action on the ground and help bring relief to communities dealing with deteriorating air quality.
As the forest fires continue to pose a challenge, Malaysia’s message is clear — cooperation cannot stop at an agreement. The next step is turning that agreement into coordinated action before the haze becomes an even greater threat to public health and daily life.
Source: Bernama
