KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must enact a cross-border haze law to investigate and take action against companies responsible for transboundary air pollution.
Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera) said the country should adopt a firmer legal approach, citing Singapore's action against seven companies under its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.
She said, under the action, the companies were issued notices and directed to deploy firefighting personnel to stop the burning and submit plans to prevent a recurrence.
"If Singapore can protect its people's lungs through legislation, why is Malaysia still waiting?"
Syerleena, when debating the Supply Bill 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat, said the haze had become a public health and economic concern, with more than a third of the 68 Department of Environment monitoring stations recording unhealthy air quality today.
She cited Pasir Gudang as recording an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 176, adding that economic losses were estimated at between RM20 million and RM50 million daily, potentially reaching RM1.5 billion a month.
"Children are forced to remain indoors, asthma patients struggle to breathe and outdoor workers continue to face exposure to polluted air.
"How much longer must Malaysians wait for the wind to change?"
Syerleena also criticised remarks by an Indonesian communications agency chief who reportedly said Indonesia provided oxygen to Malaysia and Singapore when there was no haze.
She described the remark as dismissive and arrogant, saying oxygen should not be treated as a political gift when people were struggling to breathe and losing income.
"Indonesia remains an important friend, and we will remain diplomatic. But we will not remain silent when the suffering of our people is belittled," she said.
She urged the relevant authorities to share hot spot data, take action against companies responsible for the fires, acknowledge any shortcomings and rectify them.
Separately, Syerleena proposed that the government provide full subsidies for air purifiers to B40 households with young children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and patients with respiratory illnesses.
She also called for rebates for M40 households, saying access to clean air should not be limited to those who could afford protective equipment.
Schools, clinics, childcare centres and business premises should also be equipped with air purifiers, with provisions for replacement units, she added.
"Clean air is a right for everyone, not just the elite," she said.
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