KUALA LUMPUR: Ikatan Setiakawan Wartawan Malaysia-Indonesia (Iswami) Malaysia has called for stronger regional cooperation to address transboundary haze caused by forest and land fires in Indonesia.
Its acting president Datuk Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzzaman said stronger Asean commitments were needed in prevention, preparedness and emergency response to realise the region's goal of becoming haze-free.
He said Iswami Malaysia had outlined five priorities, including protecting public health through air quality monitoring, accurate information, health advice and protective measures for vulnerable groups.
"Indonesia should strengthen fire prevention and enforcement by intensifying firefighting efforts, preventing open burning and taking firm action against those who violated the law," he said in a statement.
Zaini called for Malaysia and Indonesia to share hotspot data, smoke movement monitoring, information and technical assistance, and coordinate firefighting operations when necessary.
He urged journalists to report accurately and responsibly, prioritising facts, expert views and the experiences of affected communities while avoiding narratives that blamed an entire country's population.
"Transboundary haze should no longer be treated as a seasonal problem without effective, measurable long-term solutions," he said.
"Iswami believes sincere cooperation, clear accountability and effective action were essential to prevent recurring haze from continuing to affect people's lives and environmental sustainability," he added.
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