Malaysia to Push for ASEAN Haze Mechanisms in Manila

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan will raise the issue of transboundary haze at an upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers' meeting in Manila. The discussions serve as preparatory meetings for the bloc's 49th Summit in November 2026. Hasan argues that current ASEAN mechanisms for natural disasters do not classify or cover haze, necessitating the development of more effective regional enforcement and coordination.

The diplomatic push follows the most intense wildfires in Indonesia in 11 years, primarily on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. The resulting thick haze has caused hazardous air pollution across Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines. In Malaysia, the pollution forced school closures in several states, including Johor and Kuala Lumpur, and led the airline Firefly to suspend flights between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has ordered stepped-up firefighting efforts in South Sumatra and Central Kalimantan, deploying 60,000 ground personnel. However, officials report that poor visibility has grounded 34 planes and 34 helicopters, while limited water supplies and unsuitable cloud conditions have hampered cloud-seeding operations. Indonesia's Environment Ministry is currently investigating 19 companies potentially linked to the fires.