Kuala Lampur:Malaysia is pressing for expedited negotiations with Indonesia to deploy a team to help extinguish forest fires that are contributing to cross-border haze.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan announced that Malaysia has reached an agreement with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto regarding the offer of assistance. However, discussions about the operational details and the deployment location for the Malaysian team are ongoing between the two nations.

Minister Hasan emphasized the urgency of these negotiations, pointing out that the haze situation in Malaysia has worsened, with pollution levels surpassing unhealthy thresholds and nearing hazardous levels. He expressed his hope for a speedy resolution to the operational aspects so that Malaysia could send aid to Indonesia, particularly to address fires in Kalimantan.

The urgency was reiterated during a media interaction following the Diploma in Diplomacy Programme 2026 graduation ceremony. The minister underlined the importance of quick decisions to enable Malaysia to assist in extinguishing the widespread fires.

Earlier reports indicated Indonesia's acceptance of Malaysia's assistance offer, as announced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The proposal was approved during his recent visit to Indonesia, with more than 1,400 hotspots identified in Kalimantan.