Johor politician Andrew Chen urges Indonesia to take responsibility as transboundary haze continues.
The regional haze has triggered a sharper political exchange between Malaysia and Indonesia, with a Johor state leader demanding accountability after controversial remarks from an Indonesian government official.
Johor Politician Demands Indonesian Apology
Johor Pakatan Harapan chief Andrew Chen Kah Eng called on Indonesia to take responsibility for the transboundary haze and formally apologize to affected ASEAN countries. Chen, a DAP politician and Stulang state assemblyman, argued that Indonesian officials should stop making what he described as dismissive statements while Malaysians continue experiencing unhealthy air. He is a state politician rather than a Malaysian Member of Parliament.
Chen Says Public Health Is at Stake
Chen said haze containing PM2.5 fine particles was affecting neighboring countries and argued that public health should not be treated lightly. He cited United Nations and ASEAN recognition of access to a clean, safe, and healthy environment while calling for greater accountability over recurring cross-border pollution. His comments represent his political position on Indonesia’s responsibility for the haze.
Indonesian Official’s Remarks Spark Criticism
Chen’s response followed comments by Syahganda Nainggolan, head of Indonesia’s Government Communication Agency, on October 10. Nainggolan acknowledged concerns from Malaysia and Singapore but described the forest and land fires as being “beyond human error” and characterized them as a natural phenomenon. He also remarked that Indonesia’s forests provide oxygen to neighboring countries when there is no haze, comments that subsequently attracted criticism.
Chen Rejects Natural-Phenomenon Explanation
Chen criticized Nainggolan’s characterization, arguing that describing the fires largely as a natural phenomenon overlooks human activities that contribute to forest and peatland fires. He urged Indonesian officials to adopt a more accountable approach toward both neighboring countries and Indonesians affected by the pollution. The supplied reports do not independently determine the causes of individual fires involved in the current haze episode.
Johor Schools Already Affected
The dispute comes as Johor continues to experience haze-related disruption. Schools across the state were closed on October 8 and 9, with the closure subsequently extended through October 16 because of continued air-quality concerns. Chen called for greater urgency in addressing recurring transboundary pollution, emphasizing its effects on public health and affected communities.
For Malaysians, Chen’s remarks reflect growing frustration over the health and educational disruption associated with the current haze. For Indonesians, the exchange highlights increasing regional pressure over how officials communicate about forest and land fires, while Singapore is also directly referenced in Indonesia’s response as another neighboring country affected by the episode.
Sources: Asia One (2026) , Mothership (2026)
Keywords: Malaysia Indonesia Haze, Andrew Chen Johor, Transboundary Haze 2026, Indonesia Forest Fires, Johor Air Pollution, ASEAN Haze
