Kuala lumpur: Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam have reached an agreement to use the ASEAN mechanism to address the issue of transboundary haze that has now returned to affect several areas in the region. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that this matter was among those discussed with the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, during the 27th Annual Leaders' Consultations (ALC-27).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar emphasized the importance of the ASEAN mechanism as the best option for tackling the haze issue. He mentioned that Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has been tasked with managing this issue. This decision was announced at a press conference concluding a two-day working visit to Brunei, where Anwar and the Malaysian delegation attended the ALC-27 at Istana Nurul Iman.

Mohamad had earlier announced that Malaysia would engage diplomatic channels at the ASEAN level to find a solution to the transboundary haze problem affecting several areas in the region. Malaysia, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), plans to submit an official letter to the ASEAN Secretariat soon.

Data from the Malaysian Air Pollution Index Management System (APIMS) portal indicated that the Air Pollution Index (API) reading in Serian, Sarawak, recorded a reading of 190 as of 9 am this morning. Ten other areas also reported unhealthy levels, including Kuching (182), Samarahan (177), Sarikei and Sri Aman (173), Sibu (161), Bintulu (157), Samalaju and Mukah (156), as well as Miri and Bukit Rambai, Melaka.