In recent weeks, several regions across Malaysia have experienced worsening air quality due to haze originating from forest and land fires in Indonesia, particularly in Kalimantan. The situation has been exacerbated by drought conditions linked to a “super” El Nino weather cycle, contributing to a rise in hotspots and transboundary smoke affecting areas from Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia.
The Air Pollutant Index (API) in Serian, Sarawak, reached an emergency level of 519, prompting local authorities to shut down schools, offices, and businesses. Though the emergency status was lifted after several days, air quality remained unhealthy. Malaysia’s Environment Department classifies API readings above 500 as an emergency and those between 301 and 500 as hazardous.
The recurring haze problem is a continuation of a longstanding environmental and health challenge. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, including a 2015 episode when Malaysian students in Indonesia’s Riau province were evacuated due to dangerous air pollution levels. The ongoing haze impacts public health, causing respiratory issues such as sore throats, fever, and cough, and disrupts daily activities and economic operations.
Responses from both governments have varied. Malaysia has offered technical assistance to Indonesia, including aerial firefighting support with helicopters and amphibious aircraft, as well as cloud seeding operations intended to mitigate the fires. These offers were highlighted by Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, who affirmed Malaysia’s readiness to cooperate if requested.
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged Asean countries to review existing frameworks for handling transboundary haze pollution, emphasizing the health risks posed to millions of people, especially children. The issue remains contentious, as Indonesia was one of the last Asean members to ratify the 2002 Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution—a cooperative measure intended to prevent and monitor fires causing regional air pollution. Critics argue that the agreement lacks enforcement power and has failed to curb annual open burning practices associated with land clearing for agriculture.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has responded by calling for accountability, ordering investigations into companies allegedly responsible for the fires and warning that operating permits could be revoked for those found guilty. Meanwhile, Anwar stressed that Malaysia would neither intervene on behalf of nor protect Malaysian companies implicated in violations abroad.
Environmental groups in Malaysia have urged the government to enact a comprehensive Clean Air Act focused on holding businesses and individuals accountable for activities causing cross-border pollution. Greenpeace Malaysia’s country representative Heng Kiah Chun highlighted the importance of promoting responsible practices in the region, especially among Malaysian-linked companies operating overseas.
As the El Nino phenomenon is expected to peak in early 2027, forecasters warn of increased risks for drought and severe haze conditions. The combination of prolonged dry weather and unsuppressed open burning suggests that the annual haze season may begin earlier and last longer, raising concerns about public health, economic impact, and environmental sustainability across Southeast Asia.