KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng has proposed the establishment of a permanent Asean task force to tackle the transboundary haze crisis, in cooperation with Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
Debating the Supply Bill 2027 at the policy stage in the Dewan Rakyat today, Lim (PH-Bagan) said the task force must be supported by a permanent, year-round rescue team ready to act immediately when forest fires occur.
He said if Indonesia continues to reject the task force over sovereignty concerns, Malaysia would have no choice but to initiate legal action to claim compensation.
“Malaysians cannot just remain silent in the face of this haze crisis without taking any action,” he said.
He added that the current crisis stemmed from increasingly severe forest and land fires, claiming that the affected area in Indonesia had reached 300,000 hectares this year — 70 per cent larger than in 2023.
Lim also urged the government to provide special financial assistance to those affected by the haze, particularly gig economy workers and e-hailing drivers who were forced to stop work due to the unhealthy air quality.
During the same debate, Datuk Ali Biju (PN-Saratok) urged the government to explore international legal mechanisms to seek compensation from parties responsible for the transboundary haze, including commercial plantation companies involved in open burning.
He said the recurring haze not only affected the health of millions in the Asean region but also impacted tourism, businesses, transport, and the hosting of international sporting events.
Ali voiced concern that the haze could disrupt the 2027 SEA Games in Sarawak, scheduled for September next year, as the phenomenon usually occurs during that period.
“This haze is a man-made disaster. It is predictable, deliberate, and continues to occur every year,” he said.
He urged the government to lodge a formal complaint with Indonesia, strengthen laws on transboundary haze pollution, and consider setting up a disaster fund to help those affected.
Ali also called for stricter enforcement against parties conducting open burning.
The Dewan Rakyat sitting continues on Monday. — Bernama