Kuala Lumpur, September 8 (Daily Kiran) : Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has emphasized the need for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to reassess its current strategies for tackling transboundary haze. He stated that the deteriorating air quality in the region poses serious health risks, particularly to children and infants.
During a press conference, Anwar highlighted that the recurring haze problem must be taken seriously by ASEAN. He urged member countries to move beyond mere documentation and ensure effective action against the sources of this environmental issue.
“There is significant room for improvement in this system. ASEAN ministers should deliberate on this matter seriously, as it directly affects people’s lives, especially those of children and newborns,” he said.
Anwar specifically pointed to the alarming situation in the Serian district of Sarawak, located in northern Borneo. The area had previously declared a state of emergency due to hazardous air quality levels. Although the emergency was lifted on Monday, the Air Pollutant Index (API) in Serian recorded a dangerous level of 302 on Tuesday morning, classified as “hazardous” according to Malaysian air quality standards, which deem an API of 301 or higher as dangerous.
The Prime Minister also addressed allegations against Malaysian companies for causing fires in Indonesia. He called for a thorough investigation to identify the actual causes of these fires. Anwar stated that if any Malaysian company is found responsible for contributing to the haze, Malaysia will respect the actions taken by Indonesian authorities and will not intervene to protect the guilty parties.
ASEAN was established in 1967 under the Bangkok Declaration and currently comprises 11 member countries, including Timor-Leste.
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