Malaysia Sees No Conclusive Evidence Linking Local Firms to Indonesia Fires

Malaysia's government has found no conclusive evidence that local plantation companies were responsible for recent fires in Indonesia, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said, Bernama, Malaysia's national news agency reported.

The minister stated that his ministry and the Plantation and Commodities Ministry had investigated allegations of Malaysian involvement in the fires.

"Based on our assessment to date, there is no conclusive evidence confirming that Malaysian-linked plantation companies were responsible for the fires," he said.

The government has made it clear that any party found responsible for haze pollution will face action in accordance with the law, Arthur said in response to a query on proposals for specific legislation to address transboundary haze pollution.

He also mentioned that restricting financing for companies responsible for haze pollution requires further scrutiny, particularly regarding the legal basis and implications for the financial sector.

The minister noted that enacting a Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, similar to legislation in a neighboring country, may present challenges in terms of jurisdiction and evidence collection.

On proposals to seek compensation and damages, Arthur said the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution does not currently provide a specific mechanism for compensation claims between countries.

The government is open to examining other legal mechanisms, subject to international law, and a comprehensive study of economic losses caused by haze is necessary to provide a scientific basis for policy considerations.

Arthur made these statements while winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2027 for his ministry in the Dewan Rakyat.

Background

Indonesia and Malaysia have long struggled with transboundary haze pollution, which has caused significant health and economic impacts in both countries.

The ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, signed in 2002, aims to prevent and mitigate haze pollution in the region through cooperation and joint action.