KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s top diplomat is taking the haze problem to the regional table. Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan told reporters on Monday that he will raise the issue with his ASEAN counterparts ahead of the bloc’s 49th summit in Manila next month.
Haze from Indonesian fires spreads to neighboring countries
Forest and land fires raging for months on Indonesia’s islands of Sumatra and Borneo have produced thick haze that has drifted into Singapore and Malaysia. The smoke forced the closure of schools in several Malaysian states last week after air‑quality readings reached unhealthy levels.
According to Malaysian officials, the current blaze season is Indonesia’s most intense in eleven years. Poor visibility, difficult terrain and limited cloud‑seeding conditions have hampered firefighting efforts, making the situation more volatile.
ASEAN’s existing disaster tools don’t cover haze
While the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) already has mechanisms to respond to natural disasters such as floods and volcanic eruptions, haze is not formally included in those frameworks. Hasan said the lack of a dedicated regional response plan is a gap the bloc needs to fill.
“This is one of the issues that I will personally bring in a meeting with my counterparts, ahead of the 49th summit in Manila next month,” he told reporters, according to his office.
Malaysia offers assistance, seeks coordinated action
Malaysia has previously offered assistance to Indonesia in battling the fires, and Hasan reiterated that willingness to help. He noted that firefighting attempts in many areas are complicated by poor visibility, accessibility challenges, and the limited effectiveness of cloud‑seeding operations.
“We stand ready to support Indonesia with resources and expertise,” Hasan said, citing ongoing discussions with Indonesia’s foreign minister.
Philippines yet to confirm agenda slot
The Philippines, which holds the ASEAN chair for the upcoming summit, has not immediately responded to a request for confirmation that the haze issue will be on the summit agenda. Nonetheless, regional leaders recognize that the transboundary smoke threatens public health, tourism, and economic activity across the archipelago.
Environmental groups and business leaders in the region have called for stronger preventive measures, including stricter land‑use enforcement and greater investment in fire‑prevention technology.
What’s at stake for the region?
Beyond the immediate health concerns, the haze episode underscores the interconnected nature of Southeast Asian economies. Air‑quality alerts can disrupt transportation, affect agricultural output, and deter tourists—key revenue streams for many ASEAN members.
By bringing the issue to the Manila summit, Malaysia hopes to spark a coordinated regional response that includes preventive policies, rapid‑response firefighting cooperation, and shared resources for monitoring and mitigation.
Stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether ASEAN can move beyond ad‑hoc discussions and adopt a lasting framework to protect the region’s air quality and public health.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
