KUALA LUMPUR: The cross-border haze that has affected Malaysia since Aug 8 is expected to gradually ease over the next two weeks as wind patterns change, deputy natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said.
He said Malaysia entered the monsoon transition phase on Oct 9, with the northeast monsoon expected to begin towards the end of this month.
However, he stressed that changing weather conditions alone would not provide a long-term solution, as the haze could recur.
“Fire prevention efforts must therefore address the problem at its source. Domestic enforcement must be strengthened, while regional cooperation must be enhanced to reduce the risk of similar incidents recurring,” he said during a special chamber sitting in the Dewan Rakyat.
Syed Ibrahim was responding to concerns raised by Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka), who described the haze as a national crisis affecting public health, safety, the economy and public well-being.
The issue was also raised by Dr Kelvin Yii (PH-Bandar Kuching) and Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong).
Yii said the haze was no longer merely a seasonal nuisance but an annual emergency requiring stronger action. He called for a Cross-Border Haze Pollution Act and greater transparency in sharing hotspot data and information on plantation concessions.
Young Syefura sought clarification on the government's diplomatic engagements with Indonesia, including the responses received and the effectiveness of measures taken. She also called for stronger domestic enforcement and better protection for vulnerable groups.
Syed Ibrahim said the latest haze episode was caused by an increase in forest and land fires in several parts of Indonesia, including Kalimantan and Sumatra, affecting air quality in Malaysia, particularly Sarawak.
“The main challenge in enforcing laws with cross-border elements is obtaining sufficient evidence to establish the source of pollution and identify the parties responsible,” he said.
Syed Ibrahim added that the ministry had not received any official information from the foreign ministry or the plantation and commodities ministry regarding the alleged involvement of Malaysian companies in open-burning incidents in Indonesia.