Malaysia to propose ASEAN haze-response framework at Manila foreign ministers meeting
Malaysia will submit a non-paper proposing a regional haze-response framework at the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Manila.
Malaysia’s foreign minister, Mohamad Hasan, announced that he will bring a non-paper to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, seeking to create a formal framework for regional cooperation on transboundary haze. The proposal aims to enable ASEAN members to support one another when forest fires generate hazardous haze, as recent blazes in Indonesia have produced an Air Pollutant Index of 1,000 and visibility below 50 metres, hampering firefighting efforts.
Hasan said the matter could be resolved at the ministerial level with mutual understanding. He noted Malaysia’s soft-diplomacy outreach, contacting Indonesian counterpart Sugiono and current foreign minister Arrmanatha Nasir, while Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has spoken with President Prabowo Subianto about possible aid. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also met Prabowo in Jakarta, offering assistance, though poor visibility and aviation restrictions have limited direct action. Indonesia has deployed 17,000 armed forces personnel and at least 60,000 volunteers to combat the fires.
Why it matters
A coordinated ASEAN haze framework could reduce health and economic damage from recurring forest-fire smoke across the region.
How this story developed
- Sep 28 Civil groups sue Indonesian government over West Kalimantan fire negligence
- Oct 1 President Prabowo Subianto has named Arrmanatha Nasir, known as Tata, to replace Sugiono as foreign minister amid a broader cabinet reshuffle.
- Oct 4 Arrmanatha Nasir was sworn in as foreign minister.
- Oct 8 Prime Minister Anwar said the worsening haze is a serious health risk and has asked President Prabowo to take action, while Malaysia ramps up cloud seeding.
- Oct 10 The class‑action suit moved to a hearing in Pontianak, where no defendants were present.
- Oct 15 The government, led by Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu, is gathering evidence and keeping legal options open as PSI levels in western Singapore entered the very unhealthy range. The 2014 law allows fines up to S$100,000 per day, capped at S$2 million, for companies whose fires produce prolonged haze. Enforcement has been challenging, with limited data from Indonesian authorities and four firms still under investigation. Fu also urged Indonesia to curb the fires and called for ASEAN cooperation.
- Oct 16 President Prabowo appointed army general Kristomei Sianturi to lead BNPB.
- Oct 16 Indonesia formally accepted regional assistance and technical talks on its implementation are underway.
- Oct 16 Legal notices were served on seven Indonesian firms for their role in the haze.
- Oct 19 Student Alliance of Gadjah Mada University addressed ASEAN Secretary‑General urging scrutiny of Indonesia’s compliance and acceptance of regional firefighting support.
- Oct 19 Malaysia specified that it will provide three helicopters and 52 firefighters to support Indonesia’s fire‑fighting efforts.
- Oct 20 Indonesia’s BNPB and army chief launched a joint firefighting push in Central Kalimantan.
- Oct 22 President Prabowo publicly blamed corporations and pledged to identify them.
- Oct 23 Malaysia said it will raise the haze issue with Indonesia at the upcoming ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting.
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