# Malaysia Suggests Scientific Cooperation and Long-Term Financial Fund to Tackle Asean Haze Issue

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/asean/319446-malaysia-suggests-scientific-cooperation-and-long-term-financial-fund-to-tackle-asean-haze-issue
- Published: 2026-09-02T10:40:00+07:00
- Author: Jessica Lee

Malaysia proposed a science diplomacy and sustainable haze fund at the 27th MSC 
meeting in Bali, strengthening AATHP efforts. Members reaffirmed commitment to haze-
free ASEAN by 2030, discussed rising hotspots, El Nino risks, SEA FDRS improvements,
and agreed to expand the haze fund’s scope and governance.

## Key Points

 * Malaysia proposed a science diplomacy and sustainable haze fund at the 27th MSC
   meeting in Bali, with members agreeing to explore its feasibility and strengthen
   the Asean haze fund’s contributions and scope.
 * ASMC reported an 86% hotspot increase in H1 2026, with El Nino expected to worsen
   dry conditions; Malaysia showcased SEA FDRS upgrades and the new MyCMAQ air quality
   model.
 * Malaysia and Indonesia held bilateral talks on environmental cooperation; Malaysia
   will host the 28th MSC meeting in Sabah in 2027.

### New Proposals to Strengthen Regional Haze Cooperation

At the **27th Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee (MSC) meeting** in Bali,
Malaysia—represented by Minister **Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup**—proposed a **
science diplomacy initiative** and a **sustainable haze fund** to reinforce the **
Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP)**.

ADVERTISEMENT

Member states, including Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, and Timor-Leste,
agreed to **assess the feasibility of science diplomacy** within existing or new
AATHP mechanisms. They also reaffirmed commitment to the **Asean Coordinating Centre
for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACC THPC)** and welcomed progress under
the **Asean Investment Framework for Haze-Free Sustainable Land Management**, supporting
the goal of a **haze-free Asean by 2030**.

### Rising Hotspot Risks Amid El Niño Conditions

The **Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC)** reported an **86% increase
in hotspots** in early 2026 compared to 2025, driven by hotter, drier weather. **
El Niño** is expected to persist and intensify through August–September 2026, raising
concerns over **below-normal rainfall** and heightened haze risks across the region.

To address this, **MET Malaysia** highlighted advances in the **Southeast Asia Fire
Danger Rating System (SEA FDRS)**, including three new **automated weather stations**
in Peninsular Malaysia, and the March 2026 launch of the **Malaysian Community Multiscale
Air Quality Model (MyCMAQ)** for improved air quality forecasting and haze monitoring.

### Related**Posts**

###  󠀁[AMRO and IMF Renew Agreement to Support Regional Stability and Capacity Building](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/asean/334208-amro-and-imf-renew-agreement-to-support-regional-stability-and-capacity-building)󠁿

###  󠀁[IMF says AI investment is giving Thailand’s technology supply chain a boost](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/economics/333785-imf-says-ai-investment-is-sustaining-global-growth-giving-thailands-technology-supply-chain-a-boost)󠁿

###  󠀁[Can Vietnam Sustain Double-Digit Growth?](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/asean/vietnam/332344-can-vietnam-sustain-double-digit-growth)󠁿

###  󠀁[Singapore Pillar Two Registration: Steps Multinational Groups Should Take](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/asean/329970-singapore-pillar-two-registration-what-multinational-groups-need-to-do)󠁿

### Strengthening Governance and Bilateral Ties

The MSC meeting reaffirmed commitment to **prevention, firefighting, and joint emergency
response**, guided by the **Second Haze-Free Roadmap 2023–2030** and the **SOP for
Monitoring, Assessment and Joint Emergency Response (SOP MAJER)**. Members also 
agreed to explore **expanding the Asean haze fund**, broadening contribution sources
and supporting **scientific research** through **transparent governance**.

Looking ahead, the **21st AATHP Conference of Parties** will be held in **Da Nang,
Vietnam**, in October, while Malaysia will host the **28th MSC meeting in Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah**, in June 2027. Separately, **Malaysia and Indonesia** held bilateral talks,
agreeing to deepen cooperation on **environmental and climate change** issues, including
continued efforts to **monitor and prevent transboundary haze**.

**Source** : [Malaysia proposes science diplomacy, sustainable haze fund to combat Asean haze](https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/810229)