Indonesia says it’s working with Malaysia to tackle haze
JAKARTA: Indonesia says it is working with Malaysia to tackle transboundary haze, with weather modification operations along border areas among the first measures being discussed.
This comes as unhealthy air quality was reported in Serian, Sarawak, due to smoke from forest and land fires in hard-hit West Kalimantan as air pollutant index readings reaching as high as 195. An API reading of 201 and above is considered very unhealthy.
A spokesman for the national disaster agency said the two countries are also discussing broader efforts to address the haze situation.
“Bilateral discussions have taken place and we have agreed to strengthen cooperation, including in prevention, monitoring and support for weather modification operations,” he told Bernama. He said Malaysia had also conveyed its readiness to assist in firefighting efforts.
Jakarta has yet to make an official request for direct firefighting assets, such as water-bombing aircraft. However, the government remained open to such cooperation.
Malaysia and Indonesia on Aug 24 agreed to intensify prevention and firefighting measures to address transboundary haze following discussions between natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Arthur Joseph Kurup and Indonesian environment minister Jumhur Hidayat.
Arthur said Indonesia had also granted permission for Malaysia to enter its airspace to conduct cloud-seeding operations.
The haze is also affecting Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Kedah and Perak, which have recorded unhealthy air quality readings.
The Malaysian consulate in Pontianak said the haze situation in Kalimantan was the worst since 2024. The consulate said its focus was on the health of the 577 Malaysians registered in West Kalimantan.
Malaysia previously supported local firefighting efforts in West Kalimantan, with the consulate contributing six water pumps to the governor’s office in 2023.
