THERE are many ways to solve the haze problem. Some involve science, some involve diplomacy, and others, political will.
But perhaps, some of the “best” solutions could arise from someone who stared too long at the haze and wondered if the smoke could be turned into something beneficial.
As Malaysians continue to choke from the smoke coming from our neighbour, one netizen decided that the region needs to stop thinking inside the box.
Yuppppp…. pic.twitter.com/o0VFJGujmB
— KucingKerongKuantan (@KlutzyKucing) September 27, 2026
His proposal? Instead of simply replanting the forest with palm trees after they have been burnt, why not plant marijuana?
That way, the next time the smoke crosses the border, Malaysians can happily get high and stoned instead.
Forget air purifiers. Forget N95 masks. Forget checking the Air Pollutant Index before deciding whether to leave the house. Just open the windows and let nature do the rest.
Netizens were tickled pink by the suggestion, and many even welcomed the haze if this was the case.
But @t59983 pointed out that if Indonesia starts drugging the planet with marijuana fumes, then pilots across the world would be in trouble.
“The whole world will be stoned,” @mienamier cautioned. Netizen @gamerever9 even wrote a poem on this.
Check out the suggestive photo comments too:
Of course, this is a joke, and probably not a particularly good idea for anyone’s lungs, regardless of what is growing in the forest. The real haze problem is considerably less amusing.
The World Health Organisation says wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter and other pollutants that can cause respiratory irritation, breathing difficulties and cardiovascular effects.
Research into Indonesian peatland fires has also found a substantial health burden associated with prolonged exposure to PM2.5 pollution.
Mild symptoms such as headaches, as well as eye and respiratory tract irritation are common.
Then there are the respiratory-related health effects, including asthma attacks and shortness of breath.
The World Health Organisation also lists down cardiovascular-related health effects such as heart palpitations or hospital admissions in older populations,
acute mortality and premature deaths attributable to short-term exposure in affected regions.
So perhaps the netizen’s proposal needs a little refinement. Imagine the next haze alert saying, “API unhealthy. Please remain indoors.”
And Malaysians simply replied by saying, “Relax, bro. Indonesia planted the good stuff this year.”
When Malaysians have endured enough haze episodes that people start suggesting recreational solutions to an environmental crisis, perhaps the real problem is that everyone is getting a little tired of breathing smoke.—Sept 28, 2026
