Malaysia offers firefighting help to Indonesia

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 18, 2026

Malaysia has offered Indonesia firefighting support, including the deployment of a Bombardier CL-415MP aircraft and 52 personnel, to help tackle recurring forest fires and transboundary haze affecting both countries. The assistance awaits formal approval from Indonesia’s president and aims to foster joint efforts in fire mitigation rather than reactive measures.

Malaysia has extended an official offer to assist Indonesia in combating forest fires, including the deployment of a Bombardier CL-415MP firefighting aircraft and additional personnel and equipment. The offer was communicated by Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during a meeting with Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka on the opening day of Ahmad Zahid’s four-day working visit to Indonesia, which began on Thursday.

The assistance package includes the aerial firefighting aircraft, three helicopters, and a team of 52 officers and personnel drawn from Malaysia’s National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). The Bombardier CL-415MP, capable of scooping water from bodies of water such as lakes and seas, was previously deployed in South Sumatra in 2015, where it released 546,000 liters of water over a five-day period to combat forest fires.

Ahmad Zahid noted that the offer awaits formal approval from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. He emphasized that Malaysia’s intention is to collaborate on mitigating the recurring transboundary haze caused by forest fires in regions such as Kalimantan and Sumatra, which annually impact air quality in Malaysia. “This assistance is not intended to interfere in Indonesia’s internal affairs but to jointly address a problem affecting both countries,” Ahmad Zahid said.

He further highlighted the importance of establishing a strategic mitigation plan to prevent recurring fires and haze instead of merely responding after they occur. “The mitigation plan serves the mutual interests of Malaysia and Indonesia,” he added.

Ahmad Zahid’s visit, which runs through Sunday, was initiated at the invitation of Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency (BPJPH) and coincides with the 5th Halal 20 (H20) Summit. During the visit, he is scheduled to attend the summit’s opening ceremony and participate as a panelist in discussions on regional halal cooperation. Beyond disaster management, the visit aims to bolster Malaysia-Indonesia collaboration in areas including rural development and the halal industry.

Upon arrival at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport on Thursday afternoon, Ahmad Zahid was received by Malaysian ambassador-designate to Indonesia Datuk Muzaffar Shah Mustafa, BPJPH head Ahmad Haikal Hasan, and Indonesian officials.

Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Indonesia reached US$24.22 billion (RM99.25 billion) in 2025, with Malaysia ranking as Indonesia’s fourth-largest investor, contributing US$4.5 billion (RM18.44 billion) in investments. People-to-people exchanges remain vibrant, with Malaysia being Indonesia’s largest source of tourists at over 2.63 million visitors last year, while more than 4.26 million Indonesians traveled to Malaysia during the same period.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.