PAS' Kuala Nerus MP Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said it is time that the government gets tough on Indonesia and demand compensation from the country for causing the annual haze in the region.

"The people don't want the government to merely release the air pollutant index and declare the closure of schools and universities if the situation worsens without implementing effective measures to ensure that Indonesia fulfils its commitment to resolve the open burning activities in the country.

“The government should calculate the overall cost of the haze on the country and raise it in negotiations with Indonesia.

"Compensation should be demanded from Indonesia for the pollution on this country," he said in a statement today.

He added that Putrajaya should also declare the haze as a crime against humanity for harming the well-being of the people.

He said the haze problem is likely to repeat every year if the government continues to treat Indonesia with leniency.

On Monday, the haze situation significantly deteriorated despite Indonesia's assurance to keep the problem under control this year.

However, conditions have improved in the last few days, aided by heavy rainfall.