Syed Saddiq calls for Asean pressure on Indonesia over haze

Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman urged Asean nations to apply diplomatic and financial pressure on Indonesia to address the ongoing transboundary haze crisis, during a debate on the 2027 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat in Malaysia. Saddiq suggested Malaysia and Singapore should limit financing for companies involved in open burning, cutting off their economic resources and causing financial harm.

He also proposed mobilising Malaysian consumers to apply economic pressure, emphasizing that collective regional action would be more effective than individual efforts. Saddiq called for Malaysia to take responsibility for its own companies engaged in activities contributing to the haze, warning against hypocrisy. He also advocated for legislation akin to Singapore's Transboundary Haze Pollution Act to hold companies accountable for their actions.

The haze crisis impacts public health, tourism, and education, particularly affecting low-income children who lack necessary technology for remote learning, exacerbating existing educational disparities.