Kuching: Malaysia prioritises long-term diplomatic cooperation and early preventive measures over seeking compensation from neighbouring countries in addressing the issue of transboundary haze, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Ahmad Zahid, who is also National Disaster Management Committee Chairman, stated that a prudent and structured diplomatic approach is the most effective way to address sensitive issues among ASEAN member states while ensuring optimal technical coordination.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid highlighted that while seeking compensation does not necessarily imply definitive liability that must be borne by any specific country, taking preventive measures early would avoid the need to address such sensitive inter-state issues. He emphasized that diplomatic measures must be pursued alongside technical efforts involving officials from neighbouring countries and Malaysian states. Ahmad Zahid shared these insights during a press conference after chairing the First National Disaster Management High-Level Committee (HLC) Meeting of 2026 at Wisma Bapa Malaysia.
He was responding to a question on whether Malaysia intended to raise the issue of losses suffered by the country, particularly in terms of the economy, health, and tourism, as a result of transboundary haze with the Indonesian government. Also present at the meeting were Sarawak Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN), Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, and Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Rubiah Wang.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, mentioned that the transboundary haze issue would be officially raised during his working visit to Jakarta, in conjunction with the Halal-20 Conference: 5th World Halal Summit 2026 (H20 Summit). He noted that discussions would include the haze problem with Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, alongside other topics such as the halal sector.
Regarding assistance to neighbouring countries, Ahmad Zahid indicated that the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) had been directed to stand ready to coordinate cloud seeding operations and logistical support to help tackle forest and peatland fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, should an official request be received.
In a media statement issued following the meeting, Ahmad Zahid mentioned that the government is shifting towards an 'anticipatory action' approach to address the threat of extreme hot and dry weather caused by Super El Ni±o. The measures include hotspot monitoring, ensuring the readiness of firefighting assets, peatland management, enforcement against open burning, and disseminating health information to the public.
The statement also revealed that the National Disaster Management Council (MPBN) had approved a total allocation of RM5 million this year for cloud seeding operations and related management, with RM2 million for Phase One approved on June 2, and RM3 million for Phase Two approved on September 2.