{
  "id": 14192246,
  "title": "Cross-border haze to ease in two weeks as monsoon transition begins, says deputy minister",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/cross-border-haze-to-ease-in-two-weeks-as-monsoon-transition-begins",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-13T11:52:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/13/cross-border-haze-to-ease-in-two-weeks-as-monsoon-transition-begins-says-deputy-minister/238980"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — The cross-border haze that has plagued Malaysia's air quality since August 8 is set to ease within two weeks as the monsoon transition begins, according to Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh. Malaysia has entered the monsoon transition phase since October 9, with the northeast monsoon expected to commence towards the end of the month. Deputy Minister Syed Ibrahim emphasized that changes in weather conditions alone are not a permanent solution to the haze problem and could potentially recur. He stressed the importance of addressing the issue at its source through stronger domestic enforcement and enhanced regional cooperation to mitigate the risk of similar incidents in the future. Responding to concerns raised by three opposition MPs, Syed Ibrahim acknowledged that the haze has become a national emergency affecting public health, safety, the economy, and public well-being. He addressed the issue by highlighting that the recent haze episode was triggered by a surge in forest and land fires in several parts of Indonesia, particularly Kalimantan and Sumatra, which had impacted Malaysia's air quality, particularly in Sarawak. The Department of Environment (DOE) received 2,104 complaints about open burning between August 3 and October 9, resulting in 3,039 enforcement actions, including monitoring actions, field orders, notices, compounds, and court actions. The ministry also conducted 11 cloud seeding operations between August 30 and October 15 in collaboration with various government agencies. Deputy Minister Syed Ibrahim acknowledged the challenge in enforcing laws with cross-border elements, such as obtaining sufficient evidence to establish the source of pollution and identify responsible parties. He also mentioned that the ministry had not received any official information from the relevant ministries regarding the involvement of Malaysian companies in open-burning incidents in Indonesia.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — The cross-border haze that has affected Malaysia’s air quality since August 8 is expe...",
  "key_points": [
    "Cross-border haze to ease within two weeks as monsoon transition begins",
    "Deputy Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh emphasizes need for stronger domestic enforcement",
    "Haze triggered by surge in Indonesian forest and land fires"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Cross-border Haze Expected To Ease Within Two Weeks - NRES",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/general-cross-border-haze-expected-to-ease-within-two-weeks-nres",
        "published": "2026-10-13T09:56:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Cross-border haze expected to ease in 2 weeks, says deputy minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/cross-border-haze-expected-to-ease-in-2-weeks-says-deputy-minister",
        "published": "2026-10-13T11:52:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Cross-border haze to ease in two weeks as monsoon transition begins, says deputy minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/cross-border-haze-to-ease-in-two-weeks-as-monsoon-transition-begins-14194653",
        "published": "2026-10-13T11:52:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}