PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has personally contacted Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto over the “alarming” level of transboundary haze affecting Malaysia and the region, as the government steps up efforts to mitigate its impact.
Anwar said Prabowo had agreed to take the necessary steps to address the problem, while relevant Malaysian ministries were also in contact with their regional counterparts.
“The matter of the haze is at an alarming level and I’ve personally contacted President Prabowo, and he has agreed to take the necessary steps,” he said.
Speaking to reporters at an impromptu press conference outside the Finance Ministry today, Anwar said the government was concerned about the impact of the haze on Malaysians’ health.
He said the frequency of cloud-seeding operations had therefore been increased in an effort to mitigate the situation, despite recent results being unsatisfactory.
The Department of Environment (DOE) reported that 38 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index readings at 3pm today.
Citing data from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre, the DOE said 94 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan and 210 in Sumatra on October 7.
Moderate to dense transboundary haze was also observed over southern and central Sumatra, Singapore and the southern peninsula.
Johor has already closed schools for two days following a directive from the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, while Selangor is due to meet its state Education Department to discuss possible safety measures.
Separately, Myanmar has agreed to bear the cost of repatriating its citizens from Malaysia, including about 4,000 currently held at immigration detention centres, Anwar said today.
Anwar said more than 10,493 Myanmar nationals had so far been repatriated, describing Myanmar’s willingness to fund the return of its citizens as an uncommon step among countries dealing with large-scale repatriation.
“Very few, in fact almost no countries based on my experience, are willing to accept repatriation in large numbers at their own cost, as demonstrated by Myanmar.
“So, as a government, we certainly need to express our appreciation,” he said.
He was speaking at a joint press conference with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing after their bilateral meeting and discussions at the Perdana Putra Complex in Putrajaya today.
Anwar said arrangements for the repatriation of Myanmar nationals still in Malaysia would be discussed further between the Home Ministry and Myanmar authorities.
However, he said the process would have to take into account the criminal records of those involved and comply with immigration rules and procedures before any repatriation was carried out.
Anwar also thanked Min Aung Hlaing for his openness and the Myanmar government’s willingness to cooperate on the repatriation of its citizens.
The two leaders also agreed to strengthen bilateral ties centred on the interests of their people, including trade, investment, education, energy, healthcare and capacity-building.
“We also agreed that, despite the issues that need to be addressed, the focus must be on our people.
“Our people means trade, investment, cooperation in all areas including education, agri-food, energy, healthcare and capacity-building,” Anwar said.
He said Malaysia would continue supporting efforts to bring Myanmar back into the wider community, particularly within the ASEAN context, without prejudice.
“We in Malaysia will do whatever we can to ensure this cooperation is enhanced and ultimately to take Myanmar as part of the community of nations without prejudice, particularly in the context of ASEAN,” he said.
Economic ties between the two countries have also shown significant potential, with bilateral economic activity increasing by more than 140 per cent year-on-year to date.
Anwar described the growth as encouraging for bilateral economic relations and the potential for further cooperation.
He also welcomed Min Aung Hlaing’s openness and the Myanmar government’s willingness to listen to Malaysia’s views and make the necessary adjustments to strengthen bilateral ties.
Min Aung Hlaing was earlier accorded an official welcome at the Perdana Putra Complex, where he was received by Anwar at 9am before the national anthems of both countries were played.
The Myanmar president then inspected a guard of honour comprising three officers and 103 personnel from the First Battalion, Royal Ranger Regiment, commanded by Major Muhammad Nur Addeen Mustaza. - October 8, 2026
