Malaysia and Brunei Collaborate to Address Transboundary Haze Issues
Malaysia and Brunei have reached an agreement to utilize the ASEAN mechanism to address the issue of transboundary haze that frequently affects the region. This decision was made to ensure that more integrated and effective actions can be taken by member states in facing the threat of unhealthy air quality.
Both countries emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in monitoring hotspots, which are the main cause of the haze. Through the ASEAN mechanism, information regarding forest and peatland fires can be shared more rapidly, thereby enabling technical assistance or firefighting operations to be carried out immediately.
Furthermore, Malaysia and Brunei expressed their commitment to strengthening laws related to open burning. This step is crucial to ensure that responsible parties are subject to strict action, especially regarding agricultural activities that do not follow established standard operating procedures.
This effort is seen as a proactive step to protect the health of the people and reduce the negative impacts of the haze on the economic and tourism sectors. Close cooperation between neighboring countries is expected to provide a long-term solution to ensure cleaner and safer air for all residents in Southeast Asia.