Southeast Asia choked in smog again, with little learned from 2015 disaster

After devastating wildfires in 2015, Southeast Asian governments promised effective countermeasures. Eleven years later, the region is again suffering from transboundary smog, with little sign that lessons have been learned. Peatland fires in Indonesia and other parts of the region produce enormous quantities of particulate pollution that drift across national borders, affecting millions of people in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and beyond. Health authorities in several countries have issued warnings about dangerous air quality levels. Schools have been closed in some affected areas, and outdoor activities restricted. Environmental advocates say the region needs stronger regional cooperation, stricter enforcement of fire prevention rules, and a faster transition away from land-use practices that rely on burning. Economic interests tied to palm oil and agriculture continue to obstruct meaningful progress.