“That is the allegation, but actually, many of the fires we detected came from forest areas. Even if there are Malaysian companies involved, we will give Indonesia the space to take action.

“If it happens there, they will take action there and we will not defend them,” he told reporters after meeting Plantation and Commodities Ministry staff here.

Indonesia said on Aug 31 that it was inspecting 19 companies after fires covering a combined 11,047ha were detected within their concession areas across seven provinces in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry subsequently imposed administrative sanctions on five companies in West Kalimantan after fires were detected within their concession areas, including suspending business licences and ordering environmental rehabilitation.

Malaysian civil society groups have since called on Indonesian authorities to disclose whether Malaysian-linked companies were among those being investigated.

Asked whether Asean’s existing mechanisms were sufficient to address recurring transboundary haze, Anwar said there was room for improvement.

“There is room for improvement. I think the minister concerned must look at this seriously because this affects lives, especially children and babies.

“If we look at Serian, it has been extremely disruptive,” he said.

The haze prompted an emergency declaration in Serian, Sarawak, on Sept 4 after the Air Pollutant Index exceeded 500.

The emergency was lifted yesterday following an improvement in air quality, although authorities said haze conditions had yet to fully subside.