Asean digesa perkukuh kesiapsiagaan hadapi jerebu rentas sempadan

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is advocating for collective preparedness and heightened awareness to combat the risk of transboundary forest fires, despite the current fires being contained within each member country's territory. The risk of cross-border fires demands collective readiness and high vigilance at the regional level.

Malaysia has urged all ASEAN member countries to enhance preparedness through prevention, national preparedness, and continuous monitoring, in line with the principles of the Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP). Arthur Joseph Kurup, Malaysia's Minister of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs and Environment, emphasized the need for stricter control and vigilance in high-risk areas, raising the monitoring of hotspots, strengthening enforcement against open burning, and ensuring efficient evacuation operations.

He stated that these points were made through the ASEAN Senior Official's representation to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, yesterday. Kurup highlighted that early intervention, accurate information exchange, and close regional coordination are fundamental elements in effectively addressing the issue of transboundary fires.

He added that monitoring weather developments shows an accelerating dryness trend in the southern ASEAN region, which could lead to an increase in hotspots and fires. Kurup pointed out that this situation could worsen due to the anticipated strengthening of the El Niño phenomenon in the coming months. He also urged Malaysia to call for proactive measures from the ASEAN Secretariat, serving as the current Coordination Center for Transboundary Haze Pollution (ACC THPC), to facilitate information dissemination, synchronize preparedness actions among member countries, and strengthen mechanisms for cooperation under the AATHP.

Malaysia believes that united commitment and proactive actions from all ASEAN member countries will strengthen regional resilience against the climate challenge, preserving the environment, safety, and freedom from fires for the present and future generations.