Indonesia’s president, Prabowo Subianto, approved Malaysia’s offer to send a Bombardier CL-415MP aircraft, three helicopters, and 52 firefighters to tackle wildfires in Indonesia. The move followed a meeting between Prabowo and Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who emphasized the need for “more organised” cross-border cooperation to address the crisis. This is an environmental problem that affects many parties,
Prabowo said, acknowledging the transboundary impact of the fires, which have blanketed Malaysia and Singapore in toxic haze.
Haze Spills Across Borders
Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, ranked as the world’s most polluted major city that day, according to IQAir. Malaysia’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) recorded 11 areas with unhealthy API readings, up from eight on 9 August. The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) noted smoke drifting from West Kalimantan into western Sarawak throughout July, exacerbating air quality issues in the region. Indonesia’s disaster management agency, BNPB, warned the country was entering the peak of its fire season, with August and September expected to see the highest risk.
The fires have intensified due to a “super” El Niño event, which the U.S.-based Climate Prediction Center gives an 81 per cent chance of reaching “very strong” intensity between October and December. This year’s El Niño, officially arrived in June, has contributed to record dry conditions. FireWatch, a satellite monitoring platform, detected over 154,000 hotspots across Indonesia by 11 August, a 60 per cent increase from July. Madani Berkelanjutan, an Indonesian NGO, reported 50,558 hectares burned in West Kalimantan alone by mid-August, surpassing the BNPB’s figure of 28,680 hectares.
A Regional Response to a Transboundary Crisis
Malaysia’s assistance, approved by Prabowo, includes aircraft and ground personnel to bolster Indonesia’s firefighting efforts. I appreciate Mr. President’s willingness to accept Malaysia’s assistance,
Zahid said, citing the need for “more organised” measures to prevent recurring wildfires. Prabowo acknowledged the help, stating, They want to help us, and we welcome that assistance.
The fires have also threatened wildlife habitats, including an orangutan rehabilitation centre in Ketapang district. On 11 August, flames neared the facility, prompting YIARI, the nonprofit managing the centre, to warn of potential spread due to wind. The fire is now really close,
YIARI said, emphasizing the urgency of containment efforts. Indonesia’s Forestry Minister, Raja Juli Antoni, warned the wildfires could persist until November, underscoring the prolonged nature of the crisis.
Environmental and Political Fallout
The crisis has drawn concern over Indonesia’s fire management, with officials blaming decades of forest degradation and slash-and-burn practices. The Nusantara Atlas project estimated 896,000 hectares burned nationwide by August, far exceeding the government’s 202,000-hectare figure. El Niño is right in front of us. So if the government is still busy with other things, it will fall behind, and it will certainly be overwhelmed.
said Giorgio Budi Indrarto of Madani Berkelanjutan. Prabowo, however, emphasized preventive measures, discussing them with Ahmad to address fires and cross-border haze “in a more organised manner.”
Malaysia’s intervention reflects broader regional response to transboundary haze, a recurring issue during severe fire seasons. While Prabowo welcomed the aid, the agreement highlights the need to address the root causes of the fires. As the dry season progresses, the effectiveness of international cooperation will be critical in mitigating the environmental and health impacts on both sides of the border.