'This is not Malaysia vs Indonesia', Syed Saddiq says amid haze row

KUALA LUMPUR: Muar member of parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has clarified that the Malaysia vs Indonesia haze dispute is not a simple case of two nations at odds. Speaking to reporters, he emphasized that when Malaysians struggle to breathe due to haze, the suffering is universal, regardless of national borders. Syed Saddiq urged against viewing the issue as a bilateral conflict between Malaysia and Indonesia, instead advocating for evidence-based actions against any parties responsible for environmental pollution.

He pointed out that companies from Malaysia, Indonesia, or Singapore found guilty of burning forests for profit should face consequences under Indonesian law. In a video posted on social media, Syed Saddiq stressed that prejudices should not be formed based on a company's nationality - Malaysian, Indonesian, or Singaporean - if they are proven to have engaged in illegal forest burning for financial gain.

Regarding the company SG Guthrie, he claimed no evidence has emerged linking the company to the forest fires, despite Malaysia deploying over 1,000 personnel and advanced equipment to combat the issue at significant expense.

Syed Saddiq also highlighted that Malaysia has offered assistance to Indonesia in tackling forest fires, including aircraft, helicopters, and personnel, but received no response. He criticized Indonesian trade minister Muhammad Lutfi for dismissing the boycott proposal, arguing that the haze crisis should not be exploited for political gain.

Lutfi had previously lambasted Syed Saddiq's call for an Asean-wide boycott, emphasizing the Indonesian firefighters who had lost their lives and the hundreds of thousands of Indonesians exposed to smoky conditions.

Syed Saddiq proposed the boycott during a debate on the 2027 Budget, urging Asean nations to collectively address the recurring haze issue. He insisted that companies found guilty of illegal burning should be treated as targets for boycotts across the region.