Malaysian leaders urge Indonesia to act as haze threatens public health

During a briefing at the finance ministry, Anwar warned that one outlet haze situation is "very concerning" because of its impact on public health across Malaysia. He confirmed direct contact with President Prabowo, who pledged to take the necessary steps, and noted that Malaysia's foreign and environment ministers have also engaged their Indonesian peers. Anwar instructed foreign minister Mohamad Hasan to seek a meeting of ASEAN environment ministers to discuss the crisis.

The haze, originating from fires in Kalimantan, has already led to unhealthy air quality readings in 38 areas, with the highest API of 190 recorded in Segamat, Johor. Schools in regions where the API exceeds 150 have been ordered to close by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. In response, Malaysia is expanding cloud-seeding efforts to disperse the smoke, while environmental group Greenpeace has linked twenty companies, including some with Malaysian and Singaporean ties, to the Indonesian fire hotspots.