Malaysia must pursue legal action against Indonesia over transboundary haze — Shahrul Mizan Ismail

Malaysia must pursue legal action against Indonesia over transboundary haze, according to Shahrul Mizan Ismail of the Malay Mail. The country should prepare an international claim based on evidence establishing Indonesia's failure to meet its obligations under the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. This agreement outlines monitoring, prevention, preparedness, and emergency response measures for transboundary haze.

Malaysia should investigate specific failures, such as whether Indonesian authorities took appropriate regulatory measures, conducted vigilant enforcement, and implemented enforcement orders. The court's 2025 climate advisory opinion supports the distinction between private plantation fires and government failures. Malaysia should issue a substantiated notice of claim, identify allegedly breached obligations, request records and consultations, and reserve its right to reparation.

Independent experts should also investigate the connection between fires, pollutant transport, and Malaysian exposure.

Brief written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.