Anwar personally contacts Indonesian President Prabowo over haze crisis

Anwar personally contacts Indonesian President Prabowo over haze crisis



Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing following an official welcoming ceremony at Perdana Putra. — Bernama pic


Summary

• In response to the alarming levels of transboundary haze affecting Malaysia and the wider region, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has contacted Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who has pledged to take necessary measures.
• The Malaysian government is intensifying cloud seeding efforts, although recent results have been unsatisfactory, due to health concerns for Malaysians.
• The Department of Environment has reported unhealthy Air Pollutant Index levels in 38 areas, with numerous hotspots detected in Indonesia, while the King of Malaysia has called for school closures in highly affected regions.

First Published: Thursday, 08 Oct 2026 4:44 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today he has personally contacted Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto regarding the “alarming” level of transboundary haze affecting Malaysia and the region.

Speaking to reporters at an impromptu press conference outside the Finance Ministry today, he said the relevant ministries are also in contact with their regional counterparts to address the problem.

“The matter of the haze is at an alarming level and I’ve personally contacted President Prabowo, and he has agreed to take the necessary steps,” Anwar said.


He said the government is concerned about the impact on the health of Malaysians and has therefore stepped up the frequency of cloud seeding in an effort to mitigate the situation, notwithstanding unsatisfactory recent results.


His remarks come as the Department of Environment (DOE) reported that 38 areas in Malaysia recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index readings at 3pm today.

The DOE, citing the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre, said 94 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan and 210 in Sumatra on Oct 7, with moderate to dense transboundary haze observed over southern and central Sumatra, Singapore and the southern Peninsula.

Earlier today, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, urged authorities to close schools in areas with elevated API readings of over 150.