Malaysia wrestles with evidence hurdles as haze persists and lawmakers push for stronger cross‑border action

Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh told parliament that the haze drifting from fires in Indonesia is expected to ease as wind patterns shift, but warned that reliance on weather is not a lasting solution. He highlighted the difficulty of obtaining precise fire coordinates, ownership records and proof linking Malaysian companies to overseas burning, noting that ministries have not received confirmation of such links.

Lawmakers, including MP Dr Kelvin Yii, have urged the passage of a transboundary haze legislation to give authorities clearer powers. The government is being pressed to intensify domestic enforcement and seek greater regional cooperation to curb future smoke episodes.