Malaysia should pursue legal action against Indonesia over haze, says Lim

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng has urged the government to explore legal remedies against Indonesia should Jakarta decline to participate in a regional firefighting mechanism aimed at addressing recurring haze incidents affecting Malaysia.

Lim said the proposal for an Asean-wide task force represents a constructive approach to managing forest fires and peatland burning across the region. However, he suggested that Malaysia must be prepared to escalate the matter through international legal channels if Indonesia proves unwilling to cooperate through collaborative regional efforts.

The call comes amid growing frustration over annual haze episodes that blanket Malaysia with smoke and particulate matter, adversely affecting public health and the economy. The recurring transboundary pollution has been a longstanding irritant in Malaysia-Indonesia relations, with the origins often traced to uncontrolled burning in Indonesian territories.

Lim's statement underscores mounting pressure on the Malaysian government to take a firmer stance on environmental governance across borders. Legal action would represent an escalation from existing diplomatic channels and enforcement mechanisms under the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, which has drawn criticism for its limited effectiveness.

The Malaysian government has not yet responded formally to Lim's proposal, which would require consideration of diplomatic implications and consultation with legal advisors on the viability of such action under international law.