Establish permanent Asean task force to tackle haze, MP tells Dewan Rakyat

KUALA LUMPUR: Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) has proposed setting up a permanent Asean task force to tackle transboundary haze, in cooperation with Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia.

Debating the Supply Bill 2027 at the policy stage in the Dewan Rakyat today, Lim said the task force should be supported by a year-round rescue team ready to respond immediately when forest fires occur.

He said if Indonesia continued to reject the task force on sovereignty grounds, Malaysia would have no choice but to pursue legal action to seek compensation.

"Malaysians cannot just remain silent in the face of this haze crisis without taking any action," he said.

Lim said the current crisis was driven by increasingly severe forest and land fires, with the affected area in Indonesia reaching 300,000ha this year, 70 per cent more than in 2023.

He also called on the government to provide special financial assistance to those affected by the haze, particularly gig economy workers and e-hailing drivers forced to stop work because of unhealthy air quality.

Meanwhile, Datuk Ali Biju (PN-Saratok) called on the government to explore international legal mechanisms to seek compensation from parties responsible for transboundary haze, including commercial plantation companies involved in open burning.

He said the recurring haze affected not only the health of millions across the Asean region but also tourism, businesses, transport and the hosting of international sporting events.

Ali expressed concern that the haze could disrupt the 2027 SEA Games in Sarawak, scheduled for September next year, as the phenomenon typically occurs during that period.

"This haze is a man-made disaster. It is predictable, deliberate, and continues to occur every year," he said.

He called on the government to lodge a formal complaint against Indonesia, strengthen laws on transboundary haze pollution and consider establishing a disaster fund to assist those affected.

Ali also called for stricter enforcement against parties involved in open burning.