Govt mulls special law to handle transboundary haze

Malaysian government ministries and agencies are collaborating to draft a specialized law targeting transboundary haze, akin to Singapore's approach. The natural resources and environmental sustainability ministry is establishing a special committee to examine Singapore's mechanisms and draft a specific Act to combat the haze.

However, creating such legislation isn't straightforward. The Transboundary Haze Pollution Act 2014, implemented in Singapore, grants the city-state legal authority to address companies outside Singapore that contribute to the haze. Malaysia presented its views on science diplomacy and a haze fund at Asean meetings in Bali in July, which received support from Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.

The matter will be reviewed by the Asean secretariat and discussed at a meeting involving 11 countries in Vietnam in December. Financial sustainability is considered vital for strengthening Asean mechanisms, ensuring the region has adequate resources, including equipment, to tackle fires and transboundary haze.

Meanwhile, the environment department's enforcement director noted that the transition to the northeast monsoon, expected around mid-October, could help mitigate the impact of transboundary haze. Even if fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan persist, the shift in wind patterns may aid in reducing haze. Enhanced monitoring efforts will focus on domestic fires post October, utilizing measures such as weather forecasting collaboration and satellite imagery.