Malaysia’s Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry is exploring the possibility of introducing specific legislation to address the persistent problem of transboundary haze, with consideration being given to the framework currently used by Singapore.
Dr. G. Pubadi, undersecretary of the ministry’s Environmental Management Division, said that the minister, Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, has recently mandated the formation of a special committee comprising representatives from several ministries and agencies. This committee’s role is to evaluate measures to enhance the country’s efforts in mitigating haze pollution.
“While Malaysia is studying existing mechanisms such as Singapore’s, drafting a dedicated haze law involves complex considerations,” Pubadi noted.
Malaysia recently presented a proposal focused on Science Diplomacy and the creation of a Sustainable Haze Fund during the 27th Technical Working Group meeting and the Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee meeting held in Bali, Indonesia. The initiative received backing from participating ASEAN countries including Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.
The proposal is now under review by the ASEAN Secretariat and is expected to be further discussed at an upcoming meeting involving 11 member countries in Vietnam this December. Additionally, Malaysia has advocated for greater transparency and shared access to haze-related data within the region.
Pubadi emphasized the importance of financial sustainability to bolster ASEAN’s capacity to combat forest fires and haze events, highlighting the need for adequate resources such as firefighting equipment and technology.
On the domestic front, Environment Department (DOE) enforcement director Rosli Zul reported that the agency operates 68 official air quality monitoring stations nationwide. He advised the public to rely on these readings to avoid confusion arising from other platforms employing different measurement standards.
Zul also stated that enforcement against open burning activities, which constitute a primary source of haze, has been intensified. He revealed that approximately 80% of complaints submitted annually to the DOE concern illegal open burning.
Regarding current haze conditions, Zul explained that the transition to the Northeast Monsoon season, expected around mid-October, could reduce the haze’s severity as shifts in wind patterns may limit cross-border smoke movement. However, fires in Indonesian regions such as Sumatra and Kalimantan remain active. To prevent domestic fires from contributing further to haze after mid-October, monitoring efforts will be strengthened through enhanced weather forecasting coordination and satellite surveillance.