Asean must strengthen regional haze control framework, Anwar urges

Anwar Ibrahim has urged Asean ministers to give priority attention to strengthening regional mechanisms for tackling transboundary haze, warning that the environmental crisis poses direct threats to public health and safety across the bloc.

The Malaysian Prime Minister emphasized that existing frameworks require comprehensive review to address the recurring challenge of regional haze, which frequently affects air quality across multiple Asean nations during dry seasons.

Haze events in Southeast Asia, predominantly triggered by agricultural burning and forest fires in Indonesia, have repeatedly disrupted daily life across the region, affecting millions of residents and straining healthcare systems. The phenomenon also impacts economic activity, transportation networks, and bilateral relations among member states.

Asean's current primary mechanism for addressing transboundary haze is the Regional Haze Action Plan, established in 1997 and subsequently updated. Anwar's call for review suggests the need for more robust enforcement mechanisms and cooperation protocols among member states to prevent and mitigate haze impacts.

The intervention reflects growing regional frustration with the recurring nature of haze episodes and the limited effectiveness of existing voluntary compliance frameworks in preventing agricultural fires at their source.