Southeast Asia haze: Malaysia calls for collective ASEAN action over transboundary haze risk

Malaysia has called on ASEAN to step up preventive measures and preparedness against transboundary haze as air quality deteriorates amid a prolonged dry season. The country’s natural resources and environmental sustainability minister says implementation of early intervention, accurate information exchange as well as close regional coordination can help address the haze issue effectively. The remarks come as smoke from land and forest fires in Indonesia drifts into Malaysia. Unhealthy levels of air quality have been reported across many parts, including in Sarawak. The state's environment board warns conditions could worsen if dry weather persists. Indonesia has been stepping up efforts to contain the blazes across the country. Local media says authorities may need additional measures and funding to respond to the blazes as the number of hotspots grow. The country's forestry ministry detected nearly 12,000 hotspots nationwide in a 24-hour period, with fires concentrated on the island of Borneo. About 285,000 hectares of land have burned across Indonesia this year. That's more than four times the size of Jakarta.