Malaysia should sue Indonesia over haze if Jakarta rejects ASEAN firefighting task force, urges DAP national adviser Lim Guan Eng
Malaysian and Indonesian flags above a haze-covered Kuala Lumpur skyline as a helicopter fights forest fires with water in Indonesia
Summary
Bagan Member of Parliament (MP) Lim Guan Eng urged Malaysia to consider legal action against Indonesia if Jakarta rejects a proposed permanent ASEAN firefighting task force.
Malaysia recorded unhealthy air quality readings at 34 of its 68 monitoring stations, with Klang and Johan Setia reaching an API of 192.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia would prioritise diplomatic talks and ASEAN cooperation rather than pursue legal action at this stage.
MALAYSIA/INDONESIA: Bagan Member of Parliament (MP) Lim Guan Eng has urged Malaysia to consider suing Indonesia if Jakarta rejects a proposed regional firefighting task force to tackle recurring transboundary haze.
The DAP national adviser made the proposal during the Budget 2027 debate in Parliament on Oct 15. Mr Lim proposed a permanent ASEAN task force involving Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines. A year-round team could respond to forest and land fires before smoke spreads across borders.
The MP also called for compensation for people whose livelihoods have suffered, particularly gig economy workers and Grab drivers who depend on outdoor work, the Malay Mail reported his remarks on the same day.
Unhealthy air readings disrupt daily life
The call came as haze continued to affect Malaysia. As of 10 a.m. on Oct 15, 34 of the country’s 68 air monitoring stations recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index readings.
Klang and Johan Setia in Selangor recorded readings of 192, close to the very unhealthy threshold of 201. Schools in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and several states also closed on Oct 9 to protect students from polluted air.
Mr Lim said fires had affected an estimated 300,000 hectares in Indonesia this year, more than 70 per cent above the area recorded in 2025. He argued that a permanent response team could help countries tackle fires at their source rather than relying on temporary assistance during emergencies.
Malaysia favours diplomacy over legal action instead
Mr Lim’s proposal, however, isn’t Malaysia’s government’s current position.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said on Oct 15 that Malaysia had no plans to take legal action or issue a diplomatic note against Indonesia.
The government preferred diplomacy and ASEAN channels to preserve bilateral relations, The Star reported (Oct 15).
Mr Mohamad said Malaysia was still exploring ways to help Indonesia fight the fires. He added that the thick haze had made helicopter operations dangerous, with visibility below 50m.
Malaysia plans to submit an informal diplomatic document at upcoming ASEAN meetings to strengthen regional cooperation on transboundary haze.
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Regional cooperation must protect workers and public health
The two positions show the challenge facing Malaysia: pressing for action while keeping channels open with its neighbour.
Mr Lim’s call for financial aid also raises a practical concern. When polluted air forces schools to close and outdoor workers lose income, the cost reaches beyond environmental policy.
Singapore is also affected by smoke from fires in Indonesia, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation across national borders.
A lasting solution needs more than promises after each fire season. Countries must work together to prevent fires, respond early, and help people whose health and livelihoods suffer when the haze returns.