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KUALA LUMPUR – A Member of Parliament drew attention in the Dewan Rakyat today by delivering part of a message to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Javanese, urging him to address the recurring transboundary haze problem.
While debating the Supply (Budget) Bill 2027, Kalam Salan (PN-Sabak Bernam) called on Prabowo to take immediate action to tackle the annual haze caused by forest and peatland fires in Indonesia.
“Pak Prabowo, please take immediate action, extinguish the fires, put an end to the burning, and ensure that this problem does not recur every year. We want clear skies, clean air, and for the people of both nations to live healthy, peaceful lives,” he said.
He then repeated his appeal in Javanese, urging Prabowo to resolve the haze problem, which affects people in both countries.
Kalam also took issue with claims that Indonesia’s forests had been providing oxygen to Malaysia, questioning whether Malaysia’s trees were incapable of producing oxygen.
“Let us not turn this issue into a joke, such as the claim that Indonesia’s forests have supposedly been providing oxygen to Malaysia all this time. Are the trees in Malaysia made of plastic, incapable of producing oxygen?” he said.
He said the haze affected Malaysians’ health, causing respiratory problems, coughing and asthma, while also disrupting school operations, tourism and economic activities, including plantation work and fishing.
Kalam also proposed that the government use diplomatic channels to urge the Philippines, as Asean Chair in 2026, to lead stronger regional action against transboundary haze.
His proposals included strengthening joint enforcement, establishing an early-warning system based on satellite monitoring and forming a regional emergency response team.
He also called for more effective accountability mechanisms under the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, as well as a regional fund to support fire prevention, peatland restoration and affected communities.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Shafizan Kepli (GPS-Batang Lupar) said Malaysia must maintain diplomatic pressure through regional mechanisms and demand greater accountability from those responsible for forest fires that cause transboundary haze.
“Singapore, for instance, has issued preventive measure notices under its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act to 10 companies in Indonesia suspected of being involved in burning activities that have led to the haze.
“My question is: does Malaysia have similar legal provisions? Will the government take legal action, as Singapore has done?” he asked.
He stressed that environmental sustainability and the well-being of Malaysians must not be compromised. --BERNAMA
