Jakarta. Malaysia and Indonesia have begun formal talks on joint efforts to tackle forest and land fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan as cross-border haze worsens and threatens air quality across Southeast Asia.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, known as Tok Mat, said the discussions involve technical agencies and ministries from both countries, Bernama reported on Thursday.

Malaysia's coordination involves the Foreign Ministry, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and the National Security Council (MKN).

“Our secretary-general, Tan Sri Amran Mohamed Zin, has held discussions with MKN, Nadma and the Indonesian side on how we can jointly address these fires. This is the latest development,” Mohamad said.

The scope of assistance and concrete measures on the ground will depend on the outcome of the discussions. However, Mohamad said the talks marked the first formal effort by authorities from both countries to coordinate their response to the worsening haze.

“The form of cooperation will depend on the outcome of the discussions, but authorities from both countries have, for the first time, begun talks on how we can work together to address the haze, which appears to be getting worse,” he said.

The haze crisis has persisted for more than a month and is approaching its second month, affecting not only Malaysia but also communities in Indonesia and Singapore.

“Alhamdulillah (Thank God), both countries, through their respective agencies and foreign ministries, will explore ways to cooperate and help tackle the forest fires together,” Mohamad said.

Malaysia to Raise Haze Issue at ASEAN Meeting
Malaysia is also seeking a regional response to the recurring haze crisis. On Monday, Mohamad said the government planned to raise the issue at an upcoming ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting.

The move comes ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit in Manila next month, where member states could discuss strengthening regional mechanisms to address recurring environmental disasters.

Transboundary haze, largely caused by fires in forests and peatlands, has long challenged Southeast Asia, particularly during prolonged dry seasons. Fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan can send smoke across the Strait of Malacca, affecting Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam.

The resulting air pollution can disrupt aviation and economic activity while increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses among affected populations.

ASEAN adopted the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution in 2002 to provide a regional framework for cooperation. However, effective implementation requires closer coordination on emergency response, firefighting and preventing land clearing through burning.

The bilateral talks between Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta could help strengthen practical cooperation as the region seeks a more coordinated and sustained response to the recurring haze crisis.

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