Kuching: The transboundary haze issue in Sarawak needs to continue being discussed at the ASEAN level through the Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution to find the best solutions to minimise its impact. Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas stated that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, which represents Malaysia in the committee, would put forward proposals to address the issue.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Uggah emphasized the importance of addressing potential impacts in areas like Kuala Baram, where forest fires could lead to smoke affecting neighboring Brunei. He noted that discussions would take place at the committee level before being referred to relevant ministries. The ministry is tasked with presenting the challenges and seeking solutions to mitigate their effects.

Uggah, who also serves as the chairman of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN), revealed that the state had applied for a cloud seeding operation and was determining the optimal timing for its execution. Cloud seeding is under consideration to counteract extended periods of hot and dry weather, which threaten water supplies and exacerbate haze conditions in certain areas.

Since August 8, transboundary haze has impacted several regions in Sarawak, driven by wind patterns that carry smoke from hotspots in neighboring regions. Areas such as Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Bintulu, Samalaju, and Miri have recorded Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at very unhealthy levels.