Malaysia Haze: Peat Fires, Transboundary Smoke, and the Case for Holding Companies Accountable

This opinion piece describes severe haze hitting Malaysia's east coast, far from the usual source areas. The author links it to forest and peat fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, made worse by El Nino, and notes that burning peat releases huge amounts of stored carbon. The haze is not just a visibility problem; it carries noxious gases that cause headaches and nausea, and it hits vulnerable people hardest. The article also points at a sensitive issue: some Malaysian plantation companies are believed to be among those setting fires. The author argues for aggressive regional action and legal accountability, while rejecting an Indonesian official's claim that Malaysia should be grateful for oxygen from Sumatra. The real question is whether cross-border enforcement and supply chain pressure can stop the burning before the next dry season.