The warning has gained urgency as Indonesian haze reaches the Philippines, where such episodes have historically been less frequent than in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

Studio EB As climate-related risks converge with ageing populations, urbanisation and rising chronic disease, the region’s healthcare systems will need greater emphasis on prevention, resilience and healthier populations, said AIA's Group Chief Healthcare Officer Kelvin Loh.

Labour rights advocates are calling for stronger heat protection regulations in Malaysia as its meteorology department warns that the country could experience record high temperatures next year. Malaysia’s occupational health regulator says that it is focused on strengthening enforcement of existing laws, while on the ground instead of introducing new measures.

Studio EB Conservation efforts embedded within Southeast Asia’s plantation landscapes are showing that wildlife and agriculture can coexist, but experts say the industry must go much further to prevent further biodiversity loss.