PUTRAJAYA, Oct 22 — Malaysia urges Indonesia to take firm and effective action to tackle fires contributing to transboundary haze pollution, which is affecting air quality and public well-being in Malaysia.

Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said Malaysia respected its good diplomatic relations with Indonesia but reserved the right to demand appropriate action to ensure its people could enjoy clean air.

“Malaysia’s stance is clear.

“We respect our good relations with Indonesia, but we also have the right to demand effective action when cross-border pollution affects our people.

“The fires must be controlled, pollution must be reduced and the people must be protected,” he said at a press conference on the latest haze developments here today.

Arthur said Malaysia had held several consultations with Indonesia and offered assistance, including assets and personnel, to expedite firefighting efforts in affected areas.

He said the offer was also conveyed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also raised the matter during his official visit to Indonesia.

Arthur said Indonesia had verbally agreed to accept Malaysia’s assistance, but further coordination was still underway pending authorisation for the deployment of assets and personnel.

He said Malaysia would raise the transboundary haze issue at the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, the Philippines, early next month to seek a more effective regional solution.

The government would study the outcome of the meeting before determining its next steps, he added.

Arthur said satellite reports on Oct 14 showed widespread clusters of hotspots in southern Sumatra, as well as West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan.

He stressed the importance of regional cooperation to ensure fires were controlled at source and prevent haze pollution from continuing to affect neighbouring countries. — Bernama