Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim defended the government’s handling of the worsening transboundary haze, insisting that Malaysia had done its utmost to engage Indonesia on the problem.

“We have done everything we can,” he briefly told reporters, according to Bernama.

Anwar was responding to allegations that Putrajaya had not been proactive enough in tackling the haze, which has pushed air pollution levels to unhealthy levels in several parts of the country.

Yesterday, former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin criticised Malaysia for being “too soft” in its dealings with Indonesia, calling for a firmer stance.