Economic toll of haze in Malaysia could hit RM1.5b a month as business and health costs mount, experts say

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — The prolonged transboundary haze is costing Malaysia between RM20 million and RM50 million daily in economic disruptions, soaring healthcare bills, and lost worker productivity, according to experts.

Sunway University economics professor Dr Yeah Kim Leng warned that this conservative estimate compounds rapidly over time, The Star reported.

“The actual economic toll could potentially balloon to a whopping RM600 million to RM1.5 billlon a month,” he said.

Yeah highlighted tourism, aviation, and agriculture as the most vulnerable sectors.