KUALA LUMPUR: The transboundary haze that has affected Malaysia's air quality since Aug 8 is expected to gradually subside over the next two weeks as wind patterns change, Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said.

He said Malaysia entered the monsoon transition phase on Oct 9, with the northeast monsoon expected to begin towards the end of this month.

"However, I want to emphasise that changes in weather conditions alone are not a long-term solution to the haze issue. It could happen again.

"Fire prevention efforts must therefore address the problem at its source. Domestic enforcement must be strengthened, while regional cooperation must be enhanced to reduce the risk of similar incidents recurring," he said during the Special Chamber session in the Dewan Rakyat today.