Malaysia offers three helicopters, 52 staff for Indonesia fire fight

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Malaysia has offered three helicopters and 52 personnel to help Indonesia fight forest and land fires, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Dudung Abdurachman said on Monday.

"Malaysia offered assistance in the form of three helicopters and 52 personnel," he told a press conference.

He said Indonesia remains open to help from other countries and greatly appreciates any support offered.

However, the government must first discuss technical aspects of delivering the aid and deploying it in the field.

"There are many potential technical challenges in the field, such as the distribution of fuel and other logistical matters. It is not just a simple matter of deploying equipment," Dudung said.

He added that the government must prepare logistical support for foreign teams so their help complements domestic firefighting efforts.

Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir said President Prabowo Subianto has approved accepting help from neighboring countries to tackle fires in several regions.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is discussing the mechanism for the aid at a technical level.

As of October 13, a joint force of 60,177 personnel, including firefighters, military, police, Forestry Ministry and regional forestry staff, and volunteers, had been deployed.

Helicopters, aircraft and other assets have also been mobilized for water bombing and weather modification.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi offered help during a meeting with Prabowo in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, on September 18.

Prabowo said foreign support shows forest fires are a shared concern, not just Indonesia's problem.

"This is an environmental issue that affects many parties; even though the fires occur in Indonesia, their impact is felt by our neighbors. Therefore, they wish to assist us, and we welcome that support," he said.

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Translator: Walda Marison, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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