Haze from Indonesian Fires Drifts into Malaysia, Raising Regional Concerns
Indonesia’s recurring forest and peatland fires are once again impacting neighboring countries, with haze detected in Malaysia as of Sunday. The annual blazes, a persistent environmental and diplomatic challenge, have the potential to disrupt air quality and strain regional relations.
Annual Occurrence and Regional Impact
Forest fires are a seasonal problem in Indonesia, particularly during dry spells, and frequently affect areas across Sumatra and Borneo. In recent years, the resulting haze has blanketed parts of Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and southern Thailand, causing significant public health and economic concerns.
Current Situation in Riau Province
A number of areas within Indonesia’s Riau province remain covered in thick haze, though the provincial capital of Pekanbaru has not yet reported choking smoke conditions. According to a senior official, more than 140 forest and peatland fires have been reported across the province. The districts of Rokan Hilir and Rokan Hulu have been the hardest hit, with approximately 46 hectares burned, leading to heavy pollution and reduced visibility to as little as one kilometer (half a mile).
Authorities have made progress in containing the fires, extinguishing blazes in several locations, resulting in a decrease from 294 hotspots reported on Saturday. Despite this improvement, air quality in Riau province has worsened. However, the official noted that the haze has not yet significantly disrupted life in other areas of the province.
Haze Reaches Malaysia
Satellite imagery from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency in Pekanbaru indicates the haze is spreading. A forecaster on duty confirmed that the haze was detected moving northeastward and reached Kemang Bay in Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan state. “It showed the haze was moving by the wind to cross Malaysia,” the forecaster stated. Hotspots were also identified in West Sumatra and North Sumatra provinces, though Riau province recorded the highest concentration.
Historical Context and Diplomatic Tensions
Forest fires in Sumatra and Borneo are a recurring issue, often linked to land-clearing practices. In 2023, Indonesia denied responsibility for haze affecting Malaysia, despite frequently issuing apologies to its neighbors in previous years. The Indonesian government typically attributes the fires to illegal activities by plantation owners and traditional farmers seeking to clear land for agriculture.
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