Calls have emerged for action to be taken against culprits behind the worst ever air pollution crisis in the country following worsening haze condition in the Klang Valley and surrounding areas.
PAS urged Environment minister G. Palanivel to expose the Malaysian companies which Indonesia earlier said were culprits behind the current crisis.
The party's environment bureau chief Zulkefly Mohamad Omar argued that the move could force drastic actions to be taken by all stakeholders to stop the crisis for the sake of public health.
Zulkefly said the people’s health and security should remain top priority for Palanivel.
Earlier, DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng hit out at Palanivel for showing more concerns on a pair of Pandas from China due to arrive in Malaysia, when he appeared at a signing ceremony on the matter even as millions of Johoreans struggled with haze.
Last weekend, Indonesian Environment minister Balthasar Kambuaya named 8 Malaysian companies as responsible for forest burning in Riau and Jambi.
The eight are PT Langgam Inti Hiberida, PT Bumi Rakksa Sejati, PT Tunggal Mitra Plantation, PT Udaya Loh Dinawi, PT Adei Plantation, PT Jatim Jaya Perkasa, PT Multi Gambut Industri and PT Mustika Agro Lestari.
In an immediate response, Health minister S Subramanian said Indonesian authorities should take swift action against the haze culprits.
"I urge Indonesian authorities to take swift action, even against Malaysian companies who are responsible. It is not a natural disaster but it is a man made disaster caused by irresponsible people," Malaysiakini quoted him as saying. -HD
Monday, June 24, 2013
Calls grow to name and shame haze makers
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Haze blanketed parts of Malaysia on Monday, weeks after the region suffered its worst pollution from forest fires in Indonesia in more than a decade.
ReplyDeleteRead more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-07-haze-indonesian-malaysia.html#jCp
Three areas—two in southern Malacca state and a third in Selangor near the capital Kuala Lumpur—recorded "unhealthy" air quality with readings above 100, according to the Department of Environment.
ReplyDeleteIn Malaysia, Air Pollutant Index readings of 100-200 are branded "unhealthy". Readings in much of the rest of the country were below 100 at "moderate" levels.
ReplyDeleteA department official said the haze—caused by blazes on Indonesia's Sumatra island due to the slash and burn method of land clearance for cultivation—was expected to continue for two to three days before rain would bring relief.
Malaysia and neighbouring Singapore last month choked on the worst haze in more than a decade, with readings of more than 300 marking "hazardous" air quality in some parts of Malaysia.
ReplyDeleteThe pollution scared off tourists, forced schools to close and caused a rise in respiratory illnesses.
ReplyDeleteSkies were clear in Singapore on Monday, with the country's Pollutant Standards Index reading within the "good" band, the National Environment Agency website said.
Environment Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said although Singapore was spared because of the current wind direction, the country had already contacted Indonesian authorities and the ASEAN coordinating centre "to register our major concerns".
ReplyDeleteHe added the government would work with NGOs to identify the companies with concession areas affected by fire.
ReplyDelete"We need these companies and the Indonesian authorities to do their part to extinguish these fires... We all need to be vigilant," he said in a statement.
After meeting Balakrishnan and other counterparts to discuss the problem last week, Indonesia's environment minister Balthasar Kambuaya said that the country hoped to ratify a regional treaty to fight the smog by early next year.
ReplyDeleteIndonesia is the only member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations which has still not ratified its Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, brokered in 2002.
ReplyDeleteThe treaty aims to stop the cross-border smog by requiring parties to prevent burning, monitor prevention efforts, exchange information and provide mutual help.
The Sabah government appreciates the contributions and commitment of the Chinese community in developing the local economy through various sectors.
ReplyDeleteChief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) is a business friendly government and will continue to work hard in ensuring a conducive investment climate.
ReplyDeleteThis is our commitment to the business community, and this will be done by implementating numerous policies and initiatives aimed at bringing more development for the people of Sandakan
ReplyDeleteMusa said each year, the Sabah State Government allocates funds to Chinese schools and places of worship for these institutions to carry out their activities.
ReplyDeleteMusa urged the Chinese community to close ranks, and provide undivided support to government efforts so that they can continue to enjoy political, economic and social stability.
ReplyDeleteThe first ever Chinese university overseas campus is to be opened in Malaysia.
ReplyDeleteThe Xiamen university campus will be built on a 61ha site in Salak Tinggi near here and is due to start operating in September 2015, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time that the Chinese government has allowed one of its universities to set up a campus abroad
ReplyDeleteNajib said the setting up of the campus meant a lot for relations between Malaysia and China, and it followed discussions between him and his Chinese counterpart, Wen Jiabao, in Nanning in April last year.
ReplyDeleteMalaysia welcomed the intention of the university to set up a branch in Malaysia, and “he gave his approval for the project to be implemented”.
ReplyDelete