KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today he has personally contacted Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto regarding the “alarming” level of transboundary haze affecting Malaysia and the region.

Speaking to reporters at an impromptu press conference outside the Finance Ministry today, he said the relevant ministries are also in contact with their regional counterparts to address the problem.

“The matter of the haze is at an alarming level and I’ve personally contacted President Prabowo, and he has agreed to take the necessary steps,” Anwar said.

He said the government is concerned about the impact on the health of Malaysians and has therefore stepped up the frequency of cloud seeding in an effort to mitigate the situation, notwithstanding unsatisfactory recent results.