Climate & Environment

Malaysia PM Reaches Out to Indonesian President Amid Kuala Lumpur Haze Crisis

By list.metadata.agency

Malaysia’s prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, has contacted Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to discuss measures to address the severe haze choking Kuala Lumpur and other parts of the country, as weeks of devastating wildfires continue across the archipelago. Air quality data from IQAir showed the capital’s levels in the “very unhealthy” range on Thursday afternoon, ranking Kuala Lumpur as the most polluted city in the world. The haze obscured iconic landmarks such as Menara Merdeka Maybank and the Petronas Twin Towers. Johor state closed schools through the end of the week, affecting about 617,000 students, according to the state education ministry. Anwar told reporters that Prabowo had “agreed to take the necessary steps,” though no details were provided. Indonesia’s Government Communication Agency referred inquiries to the foreign ministry, which did not immediately respond. The region has been blanketed in thick fumes for over a month, with Indonesia experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons in years. The fires are linked to long‑running slash‑and‑burn farming practices and a powerful El Niño that has brought dry conditions. Malaysia is seeking expedited talks with Indonesia to send a team to help extinguish the fires and has also requested a meeting of regional environment ministers. It has already taken steps to reduce the impact at home, including increasing cloud seeding. Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi called for an emergency meeting of regional leaders, urging the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to play a more active role. At least five flights were disrupted at Senai International Airport in Johor early Thursday as haze reduced visibility below aviation safety requirements; several aircraft were diverted to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore while other departures were delayed. The Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon organizers canceled a kids’ race over health concerns but continued with other categories. Greenpeace Malaysia and other civil‑society groups held a demonstration on Wednesday, calling for legislation that would give authorities clearer powers to investigate, obtain evidence and take enforcement action against companies linked to transboundary environmental damage. The green group said stronger domestic laws “cannot address every regional challenge on its own” and would need to be complemented by mechanisms and bilateral channels from ASEAN to obtain evidence about fires. “Public anger on haze needs to bring about a twofold response: holding to account those who are culpable while recognizing and supporting those who are doing their utmost to protect the forests and farmlands at risk,” said Joseph D’Cruz, chief executive officer of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil.