Malaysia pushes for tougher Asean haze framework, vows firm action

PUTRAJAYA — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called for enhanced action under Asean's haze-control framework on Tuesday, signalling Malaysia's readiness to pursue stronger measures against polluters regardless of their corporate standing.

Addressing the issue during a government engagement, Anwar indicated that current regional protocols contain gaps that require urgent attention. He emphasised that Malaysia intends to take a harder line on firms contributing to transboundary smoke pollution, abandoning any consideration of corporate protection in favour of environmental and public health priorities.

The remarks underscores growing frustration within Asean nations over recurring haze episodes that blanket the region, particularly during dry seasons. Malaysia has repeatedly borne the brunt of smoke drifting from neighbouring countries, affecting air quality and public health across multiple states.

Anwar's statement suggests Putrajaya will pursue stricter enforcement measures domestically while pushing regional counterparts to implement tougher sanctions and monitoring systems. The push for a more robust Asean framework reflects the need for coordinated action that goes beyond the existing voluntary compliance mechanisms that have proven insufficient in deterring large-scale agricultural burning and industrial emissions.