BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Malaysia will make use of ASEAN diplomatic channels to address the transboundary haze situation affecting Sarawak.
Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Utama Mohamad Hasan said Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup would write to his counterpart and the ASEAN Secretariat on the issue.
He said Malaysia wanted the existing ASEAN mechanism to be utilised in resolving issues involving member states, particularly those concerning the environment.
“We request that the ASEAN mechanism be used to address issues and problems involving ASEAN member countries.
“Through the ASEAN mechanism, it is more effective in addressing environmental issues and challenges involving ASEAN member states,” he said.
Mohamad said this when met after the 27th Exchange of Letters Implementation Meeting (EOL-27) between Malaysia and Brunei on Friday (Aug 21).
He added that the letter was expected to reach the ASEAN Secretariat within the next one or two days.
This would allow the ASEAN Secretary-General to coordinate efforts between Malaysia and Indonesia in addressing the forest fires contributing to the haze problem.
