Malaysia drops plans for proposed transborder haze pollution bill

MALAYSIA will not proceed with a proposed bill to prevent transborder haze pollution, its environment ministry said, citing difficulties in obtaining the necessary information for prosecution purposes.

Almost every dry season, smoke from fires to clear land for palm oil and pulp and paper plantations in Indonesia blankets much of the region, leading to concerns for public health.

In a written reply to parliament on Monday, Malaysia’s environment ministry said a diplomatic approach through negotiations was a better way to “collectively address” haze issues involving international borders.