BANGKOK, Sept 14 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg has said that he has asked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss with the Indonesian government to seek a more effective solutions to the transboundary haze that has been blanketing Sarawak over the past weeks.
He said Malaysia and Indonesia should strengthen their cooperation to identify the best methods to tackle the yearly transboundary haze problems that have been affecting the region.
“This time, I have suggested to the prime minister that he discuss with the Indonesian government to find methods and solutions for this issue,” he said.
He was answering questions during a ‘fireside chat’ session held in conjunction with GASTECH 2026 at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) here today.
Abang Johari added that the transboundary haze issue is not new, noting that Sarawak had faced a similar situation approximately 20 years ago.
According to him, the ASEAN Secretariat also needs to play a more active role by exploring approaches that can accelerate efforts to tackle forest fires, thereby reducing the risk of transboundary haze.
He cited as an example the use of ‘water bomber’ aircraft in Canada, which is capable of scooping water from rivers or dams to help extinguish fires more rapidly.
“I hope ASEAN leaders will take this issue seriously and find a solution to it,” he said.
He also emphasized that every country has a responsibility to preserve the environment and reduce carbon emissions, particularly in facing the challenges of climate change.
He stressed this matter requires serious attention, given that Sarawak also possesses peatland areas that require effective management to mitigate the risk of fires and recurring haze incidents.
“As a nation, we must protect the environment and strive to reduce carbon emissions. This is crucial because it is linked to the issue of climate change and its impacts,” he said.
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