Malaysia urges ASEAN to strengthen open burning controls amid haze risk

Malaysia is calling on all ASEAN member states to bolster their enforcement measures against open burning and ensure efficient firefighting operations to mitigate the risks of transboundary haze. The appeal, made by Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, is rooted in the principles of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP).

Kurup stressed the need for all member nations to enhance controls and readiness by maintaining close monitoring in high-risk areas and increasing surveillance of hotspots. He emphasized that while individual member states may currently have fire incidents under control within their borders, the threat of cross-border haze necessitates collective preparedness and high vigilance at the regional level.

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Although fire incidents are currently still under control within the respective member states' borders, the risk of transboundary haze demands collective preparedness and high vigilance at the regional level.

"Early intervention, accurate information exchange, and close regional coordination are fundamental elements in effectively addressing the haze issue," Kurup stated in a release. He conveyed Malaysia's position through an official message to the ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn.

Malaysia's concern is amplified by current weather patterns, which indicate persistent dry conditions in the southern ASEAN region, leading to an increase in hotspot activity and haze. The situation is expected to worsen with the anticipated strengthening of the El Niño phenomenon in the coming months. Malaysia welcomes the proactive role of the ASEAN Secretariat as the interim Coordinating Centre for ASEAN Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACC THPC) in facilitating information dissemination and coordinating preparedness measures.

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Early intervention, accurate information exchange, and close regional coordination are fundamental elements in effectively addressing the haze issue.