{
  "id": 17329687,
  "title": "Haze pollution costs Malaysia $1.9B, potentially claims 1,700 lives: report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/haze-pollution-costs-malaysia-1-9b-potentially-claims-1-700-lives",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T03:05:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "VnExpress International",
    "slug": "vnexpress-international",
    "url": "https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/environment/haze-pollution-costs-malaysia-1-9b-potentially-claims-1-700-lives-report-5139042.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent report highlights the significant economic impact of transboundary haze pollution in Malaysia, estimating it to cost the country $1.9 billion and potentially claiming 1,700 lives. Commissioned by the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) and conducted by Carbon Spur Sdn Bhd, the study analyzed the crisis from July 1 to October 22. The haze, primarily attributed to fires outside Malaysia, was found to have contributed to around 1,600 premature deaths, with an economic burden of RM3 billion to RM15 billion due to health-related issues. The prolonged smog disrupted manufacturing sectors and daily life, resulting in school closures and lost student-days, leading to operational disruptions in industries. FMM President Jacob Lee Chor Kok emphasized the need to treat haze as a threat to labor productivity, economic sustainability, and regional competitiveness. As Malaysia prepares to assume the rotating chairmanship of the ASEAN Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution, the government announced new measures to combat recurring transboundary smog in the coming year.",
  "summary": "Malaysia’s latest haze crisis is estimated to have caused RM8 billion (US$1.97 billion) in welfare losses and may have contributed to approximately 1,700 premature deaths, according to a newly released report.",
  "key_points": [
    "Haze pollution costs Malaysia $1.9 billion annually",
    "Approximately 1,700 lives potentially lost due to haze",
    "Study conducted from July to October 2022"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The staggering economic and human toll of transboundary smog forces Malaysia to treat seasonal haze as a critical threat to industrial productivity and long-term regional competitiveness.",
  "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."
}