KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 — Malaysia will harness its chairmanship and role as host of the 28th Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee (MSC) meeting next year to strengthen Asean solidarity and shared responsibility in tackling transboundary haze.

Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the platform would provide an important avenue for strengthening regional cooperation to prevent a recurrence of haze incidents.

“Our approach is clear. Transboundary haze must be addressed through collective action and stronger regional cooperation, rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame to any party.

“More importantly, each member state must fulfil its respective responsibilities and work together to strengthen prevention measures, preparedness and early action,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said this in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Yusuf Abd Wahab (GPS-Tanjong Manis) on Malaysia’s plans to propose new initiatives at the Asean level to address the transboundary haze problem more effectively and sustainably.

Arthur said the efforts included enhancing data and information sharing, strengthening the implementation of domestic laws, and stepping up enforcement cooperation among Asean member states.

He said the approach would be crucial in turning commitments under the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) into tangible, consistent and effective action on the ground.

Arthur said Malaysia had also tabled proposals on “Science Diplomacy” and a “Sustainable Haze Fund” at the 27th Sub-Regional MSC Meeting on Transboundary Haze Pollution in Bali, Indonesia, last July, with both proposals now under review by the Asean Secretariat.

“Science diplomacy aims to enhance the use of data, technology and scientific evidence in Asean policy development and decision-making on haze prevention, monitoring and management.

“The Sustainable Haze Fund, meanwhile, seeks to provide sustainable and reliable funding for regional fire prevention and haze management efforts,” he said.

Arthur said Malaysia would continue discussions on both proposals at the 21st Committee Meeting and the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the AATHP, scheduled to be held in Vietnam this December.

Responding to Yusuf’s question on measures to address transboundary haze, particularly in Sarawak, and the diplomatic or legal steps taken, Arthur said air quality monitoring and haze management in the state had been stepped up, including through Cloud Seeding Operations conducted from September 3 to 7.

On the diplomatic front, he said direct consultations were held with Indonesia’s Environment Minister via a telephone call on August 24 to expedite fire-fighting efforts in affected areas, alongside the submission of a formal letter to the Asean Secretariat.

Arthur said Malaysia also submitted a formal offer of assistance to Indonesia on September 9, covering aerial firefighting operations involving water bombing, amphibious aircraft support and cloud seeding.

He said the Indonesian government agreed to Malaysia’s offer of assistance on September 18 during a meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister and the President of Indonesia, with both countries now coordinating the deployment of aid through their respective Foreign Ministries. — Bernama