Home Civil Society Voices Clean air is not a privilege

Clean air is not a privilege

A kilometre down the road from the Kuching international airport, shrouded in smoke - FILE PHOTO MALAYSIAN INSIDER

Follow us on our Malay and English WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Tiktok and Youtube channels.

We, the undersigned organisations, groups and individuals, stand in support of the memorandum entitled ‘Sarawak youth raise concerns regarding transboundary haze pollution and its environmental impacts’.

We endorse its call for greater transparency, stronger enforcement and meaningful cross-border cooperation to address the recurring transboundary haze affecting communities across Sarawak.

Our support reflects a shared concern for the health, safety, environment and livelihoods of communities affected by haze pollution. The consequences of transboundary haze extend far beyond poor air quality. Haze can place vulnerable communities at greater risk, disrupt economic activity, damage forests and peat lands, and threaten wildlife and biodiversity.

We recognise that transboundary haze is a complex regional issue influenced by weather conditions, land management and fire activity.

However, the complexity of the issue must not diminish the responsibility to prevent, investigate and address activities that contribute to fires and haze.

Communities affected by transboundary pollution have a legitimate right to timely information, meaningful engagement and effective action from the relevant authorities.

We therefore endorse the memorandum’s calls for:

  • Greater transparency concerning hotspot locations, fire activity, affected land-use areas, identified causes and measures undertaken by the relevant authorities
  • Stronger investigation and enforcement in relation to illegal burning, negligent land management and other unlawful activities, based on credible evidence, due process and appropriate accountability
  • Stronger protection of forests, peat lands and wildlife, including improved fire-risk monitoring, prevention, rapid response, wildlife rescue and habitat protection measures
  • Greater cross-border cooperation and information-sharing between Indonesia, Malaysia and relevant authorities to address both the immediate haze situation and its underlying causes
READ MORE:  Haze outlook 2026: A rare red warning, is Southeast Asia ready?

Our endorsement is not an expression of hostility towards the Indonesian government or the Indonesian people. We recognise that Indonesian communities are themselves among those most directly affected by forest and peatland fires.

Our concern is with preventing the recurrence of these incidents, strengthening accountability and ensuring that communities on both sides of the border are not left to bear the consequences alone.

We believe that constructive engagement, transparency and cooperation are essential to achieving a meaningful and lasting solution.

Addressing transboundary haze requires not only a response to each haze episode, but also sustained efforts to prevent fires, protect ecosystems, uphold accountability and strengthen regional cooperation.

Clean air is not a privilege. It is a basic condition for healthy communities, a protected environment and a functioning economy.

We therefore stand together in support of this memorandum and its call for meaningful, transparent and accountable action.

Supported by:

  1. Jejak Liar
  2. Sarawak OKU Skills Development Association (Sosda)
  3. Himpunan Advokasi Rakyat Malaysia (Haram)
  4. Students Against Corruption and Wrongdoings (Sacaw)
  5. Safiuddin Hanafy Hashimi
  6. Muhammad Azwan Bin Rusni
  7. Dr Ong Eng-Joe
  8. Andrew Aeria
  9. Putu Suciani
  10. Chiew Toh Hing
  11. Alexander Achang Anak Ravi
  12. Dominic Langat
  13. Robert Kho
  14. Sofi Hazim Mohamad Nizam
  15. Mohd Aslam Jeffery Din
  16. Adrian Wong Fook Ping
  17. John Ryan Morison
  18. Melanie Helthen
  19. Anthony Chin
  20. Jorinda Chee
  21. Anthony Chin
  22. Nur Syafiqa Hazirah Razali
  23. Theron Then Kai Yuan
  24. Nurfatni Kassim
  25. Faris Danial Chiong
  26. Chen Jean Nee
  27. Yong Yun Ni
  28. Patricia Hiu
  29. Josephine Chin
  30. Adif Rafique Farihin
  31. Arden Dante
  32. Nur Nadhirah Binti jack
  33. Nur Amanina Baihaki
  34. Atalia Mae Albert Jaua
  35. Cindy May Justin
  36. Brad Ester Anak Leo Reggie
  37. Glenda Ryanne Fredy
  38. Nureihah Rissa Ahmad Rashide
  39. Catherine
  40. Adzim Rahman
The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
  1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
  2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
  3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
  4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
  5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Support our work by making a donation. Tap to download the QR code below and scan this QR code from Gallery by using TnG e-wallet or most banking apps:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted

Most Read

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x