Call for regional accountability on transboundary haze

Regional crisis: The Kuching skyline shrouded in haze on Sept 2. Regional leaders must prioritise stringent enforcement and transparent collaboration to deal with transboundary haze. – ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

AS a Sabah rights activist dedicated to public welfare and environmental health, I find it imperative to directly address the recent public remarks made by Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni.

Dismissing the reality of transboundary haze by asserting that “smoke has no ID card (asap gak ada KTP-nya)” downplays a severe environmental, health and economic crisis that periodically afflicts millions of people across South-East Asia, including Sabah and the wider Malaysia.