{
  "id": 13941205,
  "title": "Iswami calls for stronger regional action on haze",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/iswami-calls-for-stronger-regional-action-on-haze",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T10:53:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1553854/iswami-calls-stronger-regional-action-haze"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian-Indonesian journalist association, Iswami, has urged for enhanced regional collaboration to tackle transboundary haze resulting from forest and land fires in Indonesia. Acting President Datuk Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzzaman emphasized the need for stronger ASEAN commitments in preventing, preparing for, and responding to emergencies to achieve a haze-free region. Iswami Malaysia outlined five priorities, such as safeguarding public health via air quality monitoring, sharing accurate information, providing health advice, and offering protective measures for those most vulnerable.\n\nZaini pointed out that Indonesia must bolster fire prevention and enforcement by boosting firefighting efforts, curbing open burning, and imposing stringent penalties on those violating laws. He proposed that Malaysia and Indonesia should exchange hotspot data, track smoke movement, and share information and technical aid, coordinating firefighting operations when required. Zaini urged journalists to report accurately and responsibly, focusing on facts, expert opinions, and the experiences of impacted communities, while refraining from narratives that blamed an entire nation's populace.\n\nThe journalist body stressed that transboundary haze should no longer be viewed as a seasonal issue lacking effective, measurable long-term solutions. Zaini believed that sincere cooperation, clear accountability, and effective action were crucial to prevent recurring haze from continuing to affect people's lives and environmental sustainability.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Ikatan Setiakawan Wartawan Malaysia-Indonesia (Iswami) Malaysia has called for stronger regional cooperation to address transboundary haze caused by forest and land fires in Indonesia.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}