Sabak Bernam MP appeals in Javanese for Indonesia to halt haze-causing fires
MP Kalam Salan addressed the Malaysian parliament in Javanese, urging President Prabowo Subianto to act swiftly against forest fires that generate trans-boundary haze.
In a parliamentary session, Sabak Bernam MP Kalam Salan delivered his remarks in Javanese, hoping the language would resonate with Indonesian officials. He appealed directly to President Prabowo Subianto to take immediate steps to put out forest and land fires that fuel the haze drifting into Malaysia each year. Salan urged the Malaysian government to use diplomatic channels to push the Philippines, which chairs ASEAN, to adopt more effective regional measures.
He warned that the haze causes breathing difficulties, asthma flare-ups and other health problems for residents, forces school closures, harms tourism and disrupts plantation work. The MP also noted that Indonesian laborers on Malaysian farms suffer lost wages when haze stops work, affecting families back home. He dismissed claims that Indonesia’s forests merely provide oxygen to Malaysia, questioning the logic of such arguments.
Why it matters
The appeal highlights ongoing regional health and economic damage from haze and pressures Indonesia to address cross-border pollution.
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.
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