Malaysia to push stronger Asean action on transboundary haze next year, says minister

Malaysia will utilise its chairmanship of the 28th MSC meeting to enhance Asean cooperation in tackling transboundary haze.

Key measures include better data sharing, enforcement cooperation, and proposals like "Science Diplomacy" and a "Sustainable Haze Fund.".

Malaysia has stepped up haze management in Sarawak and coordinated firefighting efforts with Indonesia, offering aerial and cloud-seeding support.

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

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马来西亚将利用其担任第28届东盟海上安全会议主席国的身份，加强东盟在应对跨境雾霾方面的合作。

关键措施包括加强数据共享、加强执法合作，以及提出“科学外交”和“可持续雾霾基金”等建议。

马来西亚加强了沙捞越的雾霾治理，并与印度尼西亚协调灭火工作，提供空中灭火和人工增雨支持。

吉隆坡，10 月 6 日——马来西亚将利用其作为明年第 28 届次区域部长级指导委员会 (MSC) 会议主席国和东道国的角色，加强东盟在应对跨境烟霾方面的团结和共同责任。

自然资源与环境可持续发展部长拿督斯里亚瑟·约瑟夫·库鲁普表示，该平台将为加强区域合作、防止雾霾事件再次发生提供重要途径。

“我们的方针很明确。跨境雾霾问题必须通过集体行动和加强区域合作来解决，而不是互相指责或将责任归咎于任何一方。”

“更重要的是，每个成员国都必须履行各自的责任，共同努力加强预防措施、做好准备和早期行动，”他在今天国会下议院的问答环节中说道。

他是在回答拿督优素福·阿卜杜勒·瓦哈卜（GPS-丹绒马尼）提出的补充问题时做出上述表态的。该问题涉及马来西亚计划在东盟层面提出新的倡议，以更有效、更可持续地解决跨境雾霾问题。

阿瑟表示，这些努力包括加强数据和信息共享、强化国内法律的执行以及加强东盟成员国之间的执法合作。

他表示，这种做法对于将《东盟跨境烟霾污染协定》（AATHP）下的承诺转化为切实、一致和有效的实地行动至关重要。

亚瑟表示，马来西亚去年7月在印度尼西亚巴厘岛举行的第27届东盟次区域跨界雾霾污染管理委员会会议上也提出了关于“科学外交”和“可持续雾霾基金”的提案，目前这两项提案均正在接受东盟秘书处的审查。

“科学外交旨在加强东盟在雾霾预防、监测和管理方面的政策制定和决策中对数据、技术和科学证据的使用。

“与此同时，可持续雾霾基金旨在为区域防火和雾霾管理工作提供可持续和可靠的资金，”他说。

阿瑟表示，马来西亚将在定于今年 12 月在越南举行的《亚非卫生计划》第 21 届委员会会议和缔约方大会上继续讨论这两项提案。

针对优素福提出的关于解决跨境雾霾（尤其是在砂拉越）的措施以及采取的外交或法律步骤的问题，亚瑟表示，该州的空气质量监测和雾霾管理已经加强，包括从 9 月 3 日至 7 日进行的人工增雨作业。

在外交方面，他表示，8月24日已与印度尼西亚环境部长通电话，直接磋商，以加快受灾地区的灭火工作，同时还向东盟秘书处递交了一封正式信函。

阿瑟表示，马来西亚也于9月9日向印度尼西亚正式提出援助提议，涵盖空中灭火行动，包括水弹轰炸、两栖飞机支援和人工降雨。

他表示，印尼政府于9月18日在印尼副总理与印尼总统会晤期间同意了马来西亚的援助提议，目前两国正通过各自的外交部协调援助物资的部署。——马新社

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