PETALING JAYA: The Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) urgently needs stronger and more proactive measures to address recurring haze, say climate experts.
They said such measures are particularly important as climate change has the potential to increase the frequency of strong El Nino events.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia climatologist Emeritus Prof Dr Fredolin Tangang said the agreement had not been very effective, given the recurrence of transboundary haze episodes, particularly during El Nino.
“The issue is that most of the authorities’ actions as a region are reactive in nature, not proactive and this is culture is what we need to change.
“If El Nino can be predicted a year in advance, then there is ample time for everyone to be prepared, including ensuring there will be no transboundary haze,” he said.
He said early preparations should involve all relevant parties, including measures to ensure haze from fires does not cross national borders.
On proposals for a dedicated haze law, he said Malaysia already had relevant legislation to deal with open burning within its territory.
However, he stressed that Malaysian law could not be used to prosecute parties responsible for fires occurring in Indonesia.
Universiti Malaya meteorologist Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah similarly said the AATHP had not been particularly effective, pointing to recurring agricultural burning across South-East Asia.
Prof Azizan referenced Chiang Mai, Thailand, in particular, which faced serious smoke pollution from open burning following maize harvesting.
“Meanwhile during the Southwest Monsoon, southern South-East Asia was instead affected by haze from agricultural burning and land clearing, including activities linked to palm oil,” he said.
Prof Azizan added that the issue could be tackled more effectively if countries became serious about banning open burning, citing Malaysia and Singapore’s respective laws.
“The open burning prevention law is already enacted in Malaysia but the issue is not Malaysia but that of Indonesia.
“What we need now is to implement some form of deterrence to get the message to Indonesia,” he said.
