Malaysia has maximised haze response efforts, Anwar tells critics

Anwar said the government has pursued all available avenues to address the seasonal haze that regularly affects Malaysia, typically caused by forest fires and land-clearing activities in neighbouring Indonesia. The Prime Minister's remarks came after former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin suggested Malaysia was being insufficiently assertive in its dealings with Indonesian authorities on the matter. The haze has long been a contentious issue affecting air quality across the region, with Malaysia's Air Pollutant Index regularly reaching unhealthy levels during peak seasons. Anwar indicated that Malaysia continues to work through diplomatic channels and bilateral mechanisms to tackle the problem, emphasizing the government's commitment to protecting public health. The government maintains regular dialogue with Indonesia to address the underlying causes of transboundary haze while balancing the need to preserve diplomatic relations with a key regional neighbour.