ASEAN Must Step Up Efforts, Demonstrate Political Will To Fully Implement Haze Treaty - Lee Lam Thye

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN member states must step up their collective efforts and demonstrate stronger political will to fully implement the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP), said environment advocate Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. 

In a statement issued today, Lee said despite the existence of the treaty and being the world’s first regional environmental treaty of its kind, the implementation of the agreement remains weak and inconsistent. 

According to him, the worsening impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures and prolonged dry spells, have made the AATHP implementation even more urgent. 

“The haze is no longer just an environmental matter; it has become a grave health concern, an economic burden and a threat to regional stability. Millions are affected, from school closures to health complications and disruptions to livelihoods,” he said. 

Lee stressed that fine words and agreements on paper are not enough, and what is needed is concrete action, strict enforcement, and genuine cooperation among all parties. 

In this regard, Lee suggested that stronger prevention measures must be prioritised, including strict laws against open burning and large-scale land clearing, as well as greater transparency through information sharing, monitoring, and holding those responsible for illegal burning accountable.

 “Besides that, regional cooperation by pooling resources, expertise, and technology to detect hotspots early and mitigate fires before they escalate as well as climate action integration, by aligning haze prevention with broader climate change strategies to address the root causes,” he said. 

Lee also said that ASEAN has long prided itself on the principles of consensus and cooperation, and now is the time to prove that this spirit can be translated into real solutions for the people of the region.

“The health and well-being of millions cannot continue to be compromised year after year. The haze crisis is a test of our collective will. We must rise to the occasion and act decisively -- for the sake of our people, our environment and future generations,” he added.

-- BERNAMA