Indonesia will hold technical discussions with Malaysia on Kuala Lumpur’s offer of help to fight forest fires, Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said.
Malaysia has offered one CL-415MP amphibious aircraft, one Mi-171 helicopter and 44 personnel, including crew and technicians, BNPB acting head of disaster data and communication Berton Panjaitan said.
He said the talks, to be facilitated by Indonesia’s foreign ministry, would cover whether the assistance is suitable and ready for deployment, as well as alternative support if thick smoke and poor visibility hamper aerial firefighting. No date has been set.
The plan followed a meeting in Jakarta between BNPB chief Kristomei Sianturi and Malaysia’s ambassador-designate to Indonesia, Muzafar Shah Mustafa. Both countries are also looking at cooperation on early warning and detection, firefighting strategies, research and training.
Berton said operational control would remain with the Indonesian government. As of 25 October, Indonesia had deployed 71,878 ground personnel and 63 aircraft, including 39 water-bombing helicopters.