World · East Asia & Pacific · 13 hrs ago
Malaysia rules out legal action against Indonesia over worsening haze
Smoke from fires in Indonesia has spread across parts of Malaysia, with Johor and Selangor among the worst affected states.
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said the government will not issue a diplomatic note or take legal action against Indonesia.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia had done everything it could to engage its neighbour.
The government says stronger steps could harm close relations between the two countries.
Instead, Malaysia plans to use diplomatic channels and ASEAN mechanisms, and will submit a paper at upcoming ASEAN meetings to strengthen regional cooperation.
Malaysia has offered to help Indonesia fight the fires, but thick haze makes it dangerous for helicopters to fly.
School closures have kept hundreds of thousands of students out of classrooms, while Malaysia’s regional approach leaves its next steps focused on talks and cooperation.
Malaysia has ruled out legal action or a diplomatic note against Indonesia over worsening haze.
Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia would continue to use diplomatic channels and ASEAN mechanisms.
He said Malaysia’s approach aims to address the haze while protecting people’s health and avoiding damage to bilateral ties.
Smoke from Indonesian fires has blanketed parts of Peninsular Malaysia, with Johor and Selangor among the worst affected.
School closures in Selangor have kept hundreds of thousands of students out of classrooms.
- Who
- Malaysia, through Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, is responding to the haze linked to fires in Indonesia.
- What
- Malaysia ruled out legal action and a diplomatic note, opting for diplomatic channels and ASEAN mechanisms.
- When
- Hasan spoke on Oct 15; the reports were published on Oct 15 and 16, 2026.
- Where
- The haze has affected parts of Peninsular Malaysia, including Johor and Selangor; the fires are in Indonesia.
- Why
- Malaysia says it wants to address the haze while protecting people’s health and preserving bilateral relations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia would use diplomatic channels and ASEAN mechanisms and would not issue a diplomatic note or take legal action.
Hasan said a coordination meeting would be held to discuss how Malaysia could help Indonesia tackle the fires.
SCMP reported school closures in eight Selangor education districts for Friday amid the haze.
Malaysia plans to submit a non-paper to ASEAN officials and foreign ministers to strengthen regional haze mechanisms.
- Legal action
- Malaysia ruled it out
- Diplomatic note
- Malaysia said it was not needed at this stage
- Worst-affected states
- Johor and Selangor
- School closures
- Eight education districts in Selangor
- Visibility
- Less than 50m, according to Mohamad Hasan
3 sources
What people are saying
We have not reached that stage yet. It is easy to talk about taking legal enforcement action, but doing so would mean we were prepared to sever relations.
We need to safeguard the close relationship between the two countries. So, we are not going as far as sending a diplomatic note or taking legal action,
We have done everything we can,