BNPB reviews Malaysia's offer to help fight forest fires

Makassar, South Sulawesi (ANTARA) - The National Agency for Disaster Countermeasures (BNPB) discussed offers of operational assistance and technology cooperation from the Malaysian government to support handling of forest and land fires.

Acting Head of the BNPB's Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center Berton SP Panjaitan said in a statement on Tuesday that the proposed assistance will be studied to match operational needs and actual conditions on the ground.

During a meeting between BNPB Head Kristomei Sianturi and Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Muzafar Shah Mustafa at the BNPB Graha Building on Tuesday, the Malaysian government offered one CL-415MP amphibious aircraft, one Mi-171 helicopter, and 44 personnel consisting of crew and technicians.

“This offer is part of efforts by both countries to explore support that can bolster operations to handle forest and land fires in Indonesia,” he said.

He added that besides operational support, BNPB and the Malaysian government are exploring technological cooperation, covering monitoring and early detection, data collection and analysis, assessment of affected areas, firefighting strategy, research and innovation, technical coordination, and human resource capacity building.

BNPB will coordinate technical discussions with Malaysia’s National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), facilitated by the Foreign Ministry, to discuss the suitability of the assistance, deployment readiness, and logistics needs.

They will also discuss flight safety procedures and alternative support if thick smoke and low visibility limit the effectiveness of aerial operations.

“All forms of international assistance will be aligned with disaster response needs and applicable regulations, with operational control remaining with the Indonesian government,” he said.

Panjaitan said that forest and land fire handling is currently carried out in an integrated manner through ground firefighting, aerial firefighting using water bombing helicopters, and weather modification operations under the technical coordination of BNPB and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

The BNPB Directorate of Operational Control reported that as of October 25, the Indonesian government has deployed 71,878 ground-based task force personnel and 63 aircraft, consisting of 39 water-bombing helicopters, as well as 24 patrol and weather modification aircraft.

Related news: Indonesia, Singapore agree to form task force to tackle forest fires

Translator: Prasetyo, Kenzu
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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