Sarawak wants transboundary haze issue tackled at Asean level

KUCHING: Sarawak's Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, has emphasized the need to tackle the transboundary haze issue in Sarawak at the Asean level through the Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution. This committee represents Malaysia on the matter and will propose solutions to minimise the impact of the haze.

Uggah stressed the importance of caution, especially in regions like Kuala Baram, where smoke from forest fires could drift and affect neighbouring Brunei. The ministry will discuss the matter and seek solutions to reduce its impact before referring it to the relevant ministries. Uggah also mentioned that Sarawak has applied for a cloud seeding operation, which is being assessed for the most suitable timing to combat prolonged hot and dry weather conditions that exacerbate haze and affect water sources in several areas of the state.

Transboundary haze has been a recurrent issue in Sarawak since August 8 due to wind patterns that carry smoke from hotspots in neighbouring regions into the state. Areas with unhealthy air pollutant index readings include Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Bintulu, Samalaju, and Miri.