We will not defend haze wrongdoers

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged ASEAN to review and strengthen its approach to tackling transboundary haze pollution, citing the severe health risks it poses, especially to children. His call follows hazardous air quality levels in parts of Malaysia and emphasizes the need for thorough investigations and regional cooperation without shielding any companies responsible for open burning.

PUTRAJAYA — Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called for a reassessment of ASEAN’s current mechanisms to address transboundary haze pollution, emphasizing the serious health risks posed to the region's population, particularly children.

Speaking after a meeting with officials from the Plantations and Commodities Ministry on Tuesday, Anwar highlighted the urgency of improving regional cooperation to mitigate the effects of the haze, which has recently reached hazardous levels in parts of Malaysia. The air quality in Serian, a district in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, registered an Air Pollutant Index (API) of 302 on Tuesday morning, indicating extremely unhealthy conditions.

Last Friday, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, declared a haze emergency across the entire Serian division due to the severe air pollution, although this emergency status was lifted on Tuesday following improvements in air quality.

Anwar, who also holds the portfolio of Finance Minister, acknowledged the complexity of attributing responsibility for the open burning incidents often blamed for the transboundary haze, which primarily originates from land clearing practices in Indonesia. He called for thorough investigations to determine the root causes of the fires without prematurely assigning blame.

Regarding allegations involving Malaysian companies operating in Indonesia, Anwar stated that Malaysia would not shield any entities found to have violated laws related to open burning or other environmental regulations. He affirmed that Indonesia should be allowed to take appropriate enforcement actions against wrongdoers, including Malaysian firms, and assured that Malaysia would respect such measures.

“We will certainly respect the actions there and we will not defend them,” Anwar said when asked about potential involvement of Malaysian companies in the haze problem.

The prime minister’s remarks reflect ongoing efforts within ASEAN to strengthen collaborative responses to transboundary haze issues, which have repeatedly affected air quality and public health in the region. The call for enhanced regional engagement underscores concerns about the long-term impacts of haze events, including respiratory illnesses and other health complications.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.