How can Malaysia act on haze from neighbouring countries?

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Malaysia's Proposed Actions on Transboundary Haze

Malaysia is exploring ways to enhance its ability to address the transboundary haze issue, particularly concerning pollution originating from neighbouring countries. This includes a proposal to upgrade the existing Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) and seeking bilateral cooperation with Indonesia. The government acknowledges the complexities in taking direct action when the source of the haze lies outside its jurisdiction.
Revisiting the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution

Malaysia has proposed an upgrade to the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) from 2002 to more comprehensively tackle the cross-border haze problem. This initiative stems from recognition of the current agreement's limitations, specifically in determining actionable measures when haze pollution originates from a neighbouring Asean member state. The current framework is being re-examined to identify how to effectively address such scenarios.
Proposing Bilateral Cooperation with Indonesia

In addition to multilateral efforts, Malaysia has formally communicated with Indonesia to establish bilateral cooperation aimed at resolving the transboundary haze issue. This direct engagement seeks to foster a collaborative approach between the two nations to mitigate the recurring haze that affects the region. The specific details of this proposed cooperation are part of ongoing discussions.
Challenges in Enacting Transboundary Haze Legislation

The possibility of introducing a domestic Transboundary Haze Bill has been discussed, but the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has highlighted significant challenges. The primary difficulty lies in drafting legislation that can assert jurisdiction or enforce actions within the territory of another sovereign nation. This legal and jurisdictional complexity makes the creation of such a bill a formidable task.
International Precedents and Difficulties

Even countries with similar legislative frameworks, such as Singapore, have encountered difficulties in enforcing measures against transboundary haze originating from other nations. This underscores the intricate nature of international environmental law and the practical hurdles involved in holding foreign entities accountable for pollution that impacts neighbouring countries. The experience of other nations indicates that direct enforcement across borders is not straightforward.

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How can Malaysia act on haze from neighbouring countries?

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