KJ wants govt to take firmer stance with Indonesia over haze

Former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin criticized Malaysia's approach to dealing with haze caused by Indonesian forests, stating that the country has been "too soft" in its response. In an interview on the Keluar Sekejap podcast, Khairy urged the government to take a more assertive stance against Indonesian plantation companies responsible for the burning of forests.

Khairy acknowledged the need for diplomatic engagement but expressed disappointment in the government's unwillingness to stand up for Malaysia. He emphasized that when someone is choking you, you should not allow them to continue choking you, even if it means pushing their hand away or defending yourself.

The former Umno Youth chief also criticized the Indonesian government's "incompetence" in handling the environmental crisis, which has persisted for two months. Khairy suggested that Malaysia, due to its limited influence over other nations, should enact transboundary haze legislation to address the issue.

However, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup cautioned that enacting such legislation would require careful consideration of various factors. These include the effectiveness and enforceability of the legislation, the diplomatic implications, and the burden of proof. Kurup also noted that tackling transboundary haze had become more challenging due to factors such as climate variability, long dry spells, and agricultural practices.