Malaysia Urges ASEAN Member States to Boost Collective Action Against Impending Transboundary Haze Risk

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 22 — Malaysia has called for unified and proactive action from all ASEAN member states to enhance regional preparedness against transboundary haze through preventive measures, national readiness, and continuous environmental monitoring anchored in the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP).

Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup emphasized that member nations must reinforce control measures by maintaining close surveillance of high-risk areas, boosting hotspot tracking, enforcing strict bans on open burning, and ensuring the operational readiness of firefighting forces.

Arthur noted that Malaysia’s position was officially conveyed via a message sent to ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn yesterday.

Although active fire incidents currently remain under control within individual national borders, the minister warned that the looming threat of transboundary haze requires heightened vigilance and synchronized regional intervention.

“The implementation of early interventions, accurate information exchange and close regional coordination are fundamental elements in addressing the haze issue effectively,” Arthur stated in an official release today.

Meteorological monitoring indicates that prolonged dry conditions across southern ASEAN sub-regions have already driven up hotspot counts and smoke formation. Arthur cautioned that atmospheric conditions could worsen as the El Niño climate phenomenon is expected to gradually strengthen over the coming months.

Malaysia also commended the ASEAN Secretariat’s proactive role as the Interim ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACC THPC) in facilitating rapid information sharing, streamlining joint preparedness measures, and fortifying regional cooperation under the AATHP framework.

“Malaysia is confident that the strong commitment and proactive actions of all ASEAN member states will enhance regional resilience in confronting climate challenges, while safeguarding a sustainable, prosperous and haze-free environment for the well-being of present and future generations,” Arthur added.

–NMT