Malaysia urges Asean action as haze pushes API readings to unhealthy levels
Malaysia has called for urgent collective action from ASEAN member states to address transboundary haze caused by forest fires. With air quality reaching unhealthy levels, officials are urging increased surveillance and preventive measures to mitigate the impact of the El Nino phenomenon.
Why it matters
Transboundary haze is a critical environmental and public health issue in Southeast Asia that requires regional diplomatic cooperation to resolve.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has urged Asean member states to step up preventive measures and preparedness against transboundary haze as dry weather conditions push air quality to unhealthy levels in parts of the country.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said Malaysia remained committed to the regional goal of achieving a haze-free Asean by 2030 through the effective implementation of the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP).
He said Malaysia had conveyed its position through an official message to Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn on Friday (Aug 21).
The call came as 11 areas in Sarawak and Melaka recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 8am on Saturday (Aug 22), according to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in