Culture & Entertainment · Malaysia Bureau
Call for haze compensation fund, investigation into Malaysian polluters
A prominent policy analyst has urged the government to establish a dedicated compensation mechanism for haze-affected residents and launch investigations into Malaysian companies contributing to transboundary air pollution. The push comes as the region grapples with recurring air quality crises.
LSN Malaysia ·
Wan Saiful Wan Jan has called on Malaysian authorities to create a structured fund to compensate citizens harmed by recurring haze episodes, arguing that transboundary air pollution should not be treated as an inevitable seasonal occurrence.
"Haze is not an annual festival that we should simply accept as normal," Wan Saiful stated, emphasizing the need for decisive action rather than passive acceptance of degraded air quality.
Beyond compensation mechanisms, Wan Saiful has urged the government to investigate Malaysian firms potentially contributing to the haze problem. Such inquiries could identify domestic sources of pollution and hold companies accountable for their environmental impact.
The appeal reflects growing frustration with the cyclical nature of haze crises in Malaysia, which frequently spike during dry seasons due to agricultural burning in neighboring countries and potentially domestic sources. Environmental advocates and policymakers have increasingly questioned whether existing response frameworks adequately protect public health or provide meaningful recourse for affected populations.