Transboundary haze discussed on sidelines of Asean health ministers meeting, says Dzulkefly

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 — The transboundary haze issue, which is not on the official agenda of the 17th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting (AHMM) and Related Meetings, is being discussed informally among health ministers of the member states, according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad. The minister stated that the matter may be addressed in a subsequent meeting, potentially at the senior officers' meeting.

"We will continue to discuss this among our ministers. Perhaps, in our subsequent meeting, the senior officers' meeting can carry this through," he said in a press conference following the launch of ASHA 2026-2030. Dzulkefly added that the issue could be tackled within the framework of the existing health clusters. When questioned about the possibility of Malaysia engaging in bilateral discussions with Indonesia regarding the haze issue, the health minister responded that Malaysia raised the subject but needs to move forward with the matter.

Earlier, Communications Minister and Madani Government spokesman Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil disclosed that Malaysia is still awaiting confirmation from Indonesian authorities before deploying resources to aid in the battle against forest fires in the country, which have caused transboundary haze.