PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is calling for collective action from all ASEAN member states to enhance preparedness in addressing the risk of transboundary haze through preventive measures, national preparedness and continuous monitoring, based on the principles of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP).
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup (pic) said all member states needed to strengthen control measures and preparedness by maintaining close monitoring of high-risk areas, enhancing hotspot surveillance, strengthening enforcement of the ban on open burning, and ensuring efficient firefighting operational readiness.
He said the position was conveyed through an official message to ASEAN secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn yesterday.
Arthur said that although fire incidents were still under control within the respective borders of member states, the risk of transboundary haze called for collective preparedness and heightened vigilance at the regional level.
“The implementation of early interventions, accurate information exchange and close regional coordination are fundamental elements in addressing the haze issue effectively,” he said in a statement today.
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