BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam have reached an agreement to use the Asean mechanism to address the issue of transboundary haze that has now returned to affect several areas in the region.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the matter was among those discussed with the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in conjunction with the 27th Annual Leaders' Consultations (ALC-27) here, on Saturday (Aug 22).
"We both agreed to use the Asean mechanism as the best option. We have asked Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan to manage this issue," he said at the closing press conference in conjunction with a two-day working visit to Brunei.
Earlier, Anwar and the Malaysian delegation arrived at Istana Nurul Iman at about 11am to attend the ALC-27, with the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah also attending.
On Friday (Aug 21), Mohamad announced that Malaysia would use diplomatic channels at the Asean level to find a solution to the issue of transboundary haze that has affected several areas in the region.
According to Mohamad, Malaysia, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) would submit an official letter to the Asean Secretariat in the near future.
According to data from the Malaysian Air Pollution Index Management System (APIMS) portal, the Air Pollution Index (API) reading in Serian, Sarawak recorded a reading of 190 as of 9am on Saturday morning.
Ten other areas also recorded unhealthy levels, namely Kuching (182), Samarahan (177), Sarikei and Sri Aman (173), Sibu (161), Bintulu (157), Samalaju and Mukah (156) as well as Miri and Bukit Rambai, Melaka each at 151.
API readings of between zero and 50 indicate good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, while readings above 300 are categorised as hazardous.- Bernama
