KUALA LUMPUR – As the 2025 Asean chair, Malaysia is set to spearhead major environmental initiatives, including addressing the issue of transboundary haze and plastic waste dumping – two pressing challenges impacting the region’s ecosystems and public health. 

The nation is set to take an active role in enforcing the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP), which has been in place since 2002. The country will lead high-level discussions among Asean member states, focusing on stricter prevention of open burning and enhanced monitoring mechanisms.

In a written parliamentary response issued yesterday, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad emphasised the urgent need for action, citing past haze episodes that have severely impacted Malaysians. 

In November 2024, for example, unhealthy air pollutant index (API) readings in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Negri Sembilan were linked to forest fires in Indonesia, with hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan sending thick smoke across borders. Cheras was among the worst affected areas, with API readings reaching 155, a level deemed unhealthy.

“We will champion scientific diplomacy and advocate for a sustainable haze mitigation fund,” said the minister in the answer to Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (Kubang Kerian-PN) who asked the NRES minister to state the ministry’s efforts during Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship in fostering cooperation among countries on cross-border sustainability, particularly in addressing transboundary haze and plastic waste disposal.

Citing successful international agreements like the Montreal Protocol and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the government aims to balance scientific data, factual analysis, and negotiations to drive impactful decision-making among Asean nations.

Technical cooperation will also be strengthened through joint research on wildfire prevention and the sharing of firefighting expertise, particularly in high-risk areas such as forests and peatlands. 

“With sustained investment in research, technology, and innovation, we can improve infrastructure, prevention strategies, and fire suppression techniques,” the minister added.

The government will also push for full operational support for the Asean Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACC THPC), based in Indonesia, to enhance cross-border fire and haze management. 

According to reports, the 10 Asean member countries have suffered economic losses amounting to hundreds of billions of US dollars over the past 25 years due to large-scale fires, which have also led to significant biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions.

The urgency of this initiative is further underscored by the 2023 El Niño-driven dry season, which saw Indonesia struggle to contain fires that burned over 267,900 hectares of forests. 

Despite Malaysia’s claims of transboundary haze pollution affecting its air quality, Indonesia’s environment ministry denied that haze from Sumatra and Kalimantan had reached its neighbour. 

Tackling ‘waste colonisation’

On plastic waste, NRES is taking a firm stance against what it calls “waste colonisation,” where Asean nations are used as dumping grounds for plastic waste under the guise of recycling.

“Developed countries are exploiting Malaysia and other Asean nations as global landfills, violating environmental justice,” the minister said in the written reply.

Malaysia aims to push for Asean-wide adoption of stringent restrictions on waste exports, similar to the European Union’s policies on banning the export of plastic waste to non-OECD countries.

Beyond restricting imports, Malaysia will also push for stronger regional policies to enforce sustainable waste management and environmental protections. The country is advocating for investment in advanced waste-processing technologies, as well as the adoption of circular economy models where agricultural waste and plastic refuse are repurposed into new materials rather than dumped or incinerated.

The government is calling for a “whole of society” approach, urging private sector involvement, regional cooperation, and stronger enforcement mechanisms to address these pressing environmental challenges. – February 27, 2025

KOTA KINABALU (Feb 26): A coordinated rescue mission led by the Sabah State Health Department (JKNS), with support from multiple agencies, successfully evacuated an expectant mother who was unable to reach the hospital due to a landslide.

The incident occurred at 7.26am this morning at Jalan Ranau-Tambunan, Kampung Pahu, Tambunan, blocking the main road and cutting off access for ambulances and emergency vehicles, according to JKNS Director Dr. Maria Sulaiman.

A health team from Klinik Desa Tontolob, Liawan, Tambunan, located near the site, conducted an initial assessment and stabilised the patient.

“Upon examination, it was determined that she was in the active phase of labour and required urgent transfer to a hospital. Following this assessment, a retrieval team from the Emergency and Trauma Unit of Tambunan District Hospital was dispatched after receiving a distress call from the Tambunan District Police Headquarters,” Dr Maria stated.

With the main route blocked, the rescue team identified an alternative pathway to ensure the patient’s safe and swift transfer.

Members of the Tambunan police, supported by villagers and the public, successfully transported the patient across the affected area using the safer route. She was then rushed to Keningau Hospital for further medical attention.

Upon arrival, the patient underwent an emergency lower caesarean section due to signs of fetal distress.

“Both the mother and baby were reported to be in stable condition following the procedure,” Dr. Maria confirmed.

She expressed gratitude to all agencies involved, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Public Works Department (JKR), and medical teams from Tambunan District Hospital, Keningau Hospital, and Klinik Desa Tontolob. She also extended special appreciation to the local villagers and members of the public who played a crucial role in the transfer process.

“The success of this mission underscores the importance of cooperation and preparedness among emergency response teams in managing unexpected crises.

“It also highlights the efficiency of these teams in adapting disaster response plans to ensure uninterrupted healthcare access. JKNS reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the preparedness and capability of its health teams in handling future emergencies,” she concluded.

MIRI (Feb 27): Continuous heavy rain in Batu Niah last night inundated a house at Rumah Agan Nuuh.

The homeowner contacted the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) to assist with pumping out the floodwater, which had reached knee level.

Batu Niah fire station chief Rary Binjie said his team received a call regarding the incident at 8.05pm.

“A team of firefighters was deployed to the location, which is only 2km from the station, and arrived there within two minutes.

“Upon assessing the situation, the team immediately began pumping out two feet of floodwater, that had entered the house through the kitchen area, using a portable pump,” he said when contacted today.

Rary added the flash flood only affected a single house in a low-lying area in front of St Giles Church.

“The incident is believed to have been caused by continuous heavy rain from 4pm to 9pm, compounded by a weak drainage system,” he explained.

TOKYO: Kebakaran hutan di utara Jepun memusnahkan lebih 80 bangunan dan memaksa ratusan penduduk dipindahkan, dengan helikopter tentera dikerah membantu usaha pemadamannya, kata pihak berkuasa, hari ini.

Rakaman udara dari penyiar awam NHK menunjukkan malapetaka itu menyebabkan beberapa rumah hangus dijilat api di kawasan hutan Ofunato di wilayah Iwate.

Hampir 600 penduduk berhampiran dipindahkan, menurut majlis perbandaran tempatan tanpa memperincikan bilangan mangsa cedera yang disahkan setakat ini.

Setakat pagi ini, pegawai bandar menganggarkan sekurang-kurangnya 84 bangunan rosak akibat kebakaran itu yang cuba dipadamkan dari udara oleh Self-Defence Forces.

Datuk Bandar Ofunato, Kiyoshi Fuchigami menyifatkan kebakaran petang semalam itu sebagai 'berskala besar' dengan mengatakan kira-kira 600 hektar tanah atau tiga kali ganda saiz Monaco terbakar.

Katanya, punca kebakaran masih tidak diketahui. 

Terdapat kira-kira 1,300 kebakaran hutan di seluruh Jepun pada 2023, tertumpu pada tempoh Februari hingga April tercetus apabila udara kering dan tiupan angin.

Dalam kes kebakaran terbaru Iwate, angin kencang dari barat mendorong beberapa siri kebakaran hutan yang lebih kecil merebak di kawasan sama, kata Fuchigami.

Seorang mangsa wanita berusia 45 tahun memberitahu NHK, api hampir menyambar rumahnya ketika dia pulang dari kerja.

"Saya sangat lega anak-anak saya selamat," katanya.

Seorang lelaki berusia 32 tahun, memberitahu stesen penyiar, ia kali pertama dia melihat siri kebakaran berlaku berturut-turut dengan pantas.