Foreign minister says Asean best platform as Malaysia pushes regional action on haze crisis

Malaysia will utilise Asean diplomatic channels to seek a solution to the transboundary haze affecting several areas in the region, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. — Bernama pic

First Published: Friday, 21 Aug 2026 6:30 PM MYT

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug 21 — Malaysia will utilise Asean diplomatic channels to seek a solution to the transboundary haze affecting several areas in the region, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said Asean remains the most appropriate platform for addressing issues involving countries in the region.

He added that Malaysia, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), would submit an official letter to the Asean Secretariat in due course.

“NRES Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup will also write to his counterpart in Indonesia.

“We believe Asean is the best mechanism for addressing issues and problems among Asean member states, and we view it as more effective for the Secretariat to manage this matter,” he told reporters when met at a hotel here today.

Mohamad is currently on a three-day working visit to Brunei, which began yesterday.

The visit is being held in conjunction with the 27th Malaysia-Brunei Exchange of Letters (EOL-27) meeting on Aug 21 and the 27th Malaysia-Brunei Annual Leaders’ Consultation (ALC-27) on Aug 22.

Yesterday, Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei Datuk Mohd Aini Atan said the haze affecting several areas in the region was expected to be among the issues discussed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, during the Malaysia-Brunei ALC-27.

He said the issue was currently of mutual concern to both countries.

According to data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal, as of 4 pm today, the Serian District Police Headquarters (IPD) in Sarawak continued to record an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 217, which is in the “very unhealthy” category.

Nine other areas in Sarawak recorded “unhealthy” API readings, namely Sri Aman (186), Sarikei (173), Kuching (171), Samarahan (170), Sibu and Samalaju (156), Bintulu (153), Mukah (125) and Kapit (108). — Bernama