Anwar pushes ASEAN to step in on Indonesia wildfires

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pushed for ASEAN-level cooperation to address forest and land fires in Indonesia that have triggered cross-border haze. Speaking from Kuala Lumpur, Anwar said Malaysia is ready to provide assistance, as it had offered before, while acknowledging the Indonesian government has deployed tens of thousands of personnel and various air assets. Smoke from the fires has affected Malaysia, including residents' health and school closures in several states and territories. CNN Indonesia reported that haze also blanketed Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand. Anwar said the response needs to be strengthened through coordination, preparedness and collective ASEAN action because of the wide area affected and unsettled weather.