KUCHING: Malaysia wants Indonesia to take immediate action to put out fires that are causing haze in the region.
Deputy Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis said a diplomatic note that would be sent to its Southeast Asian neighbour also urged it to prevent fires from recurring.
“The diplomatic note will be sent as soon as possible because it is currently being drafted and in the final stage.”
She told a press conference that Air Pollution Index (API) readings yesterday throughout Malaysia at 8am showed 61 stations recording moderate air quality status.
“However, six stations recorded unhealthy air quality status today (yesterday) — Kuching (125), Samarahan (120), Sri Aman (166), Sibu ( 123), Miri (133) and Sarikei (109).
“Satellite images of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NCAA) 20 detected a total of 1,393 hotspots in Indonesia — 306 in Sumatra and 1,087 in Kalimantan; and only 17 hotspots detected locally.
“Johor and Pahang each have two, Perak with one and Sarawak with 12 hotspots,” she said.
“Seeing that the API readings are increasing, cloud seeding might be done because the Meteorological Department’s input needs to be acquired and later, it will be carried out by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
“However, it also depends on the cloud compatibility, whether it is effective when it is carried out.
“And when there is fire and the haze, we do not want it to be too severe and spread out. Therefore, we want the Natural Resources And Environment Board (NREB), Department of Environment (DOE) and other agencies involved to continue monitoring the current situation,” she said.
She further mentioned that the National Open Fire Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan have been activated to coordinate the actions of government agencies in addressing the issue of open burning and addressing the country’s haze situation.
“DOE will also continue to monitor air quality throughout the country on an hourly basis. Investigations and enforcement will continue to be conducted on hotspots identified locally; however, cross-border haze is a major cause of haze nationwide.”
Isnaraissah shared that on Aug 6, Malaysia raised up the issue of cross-border haze at the 21st Technical Working Group (TWG) and Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee (MSC) on Transboundary Haze Pollution attended by Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.
During this meeting, MSC member countries pledged to be
vigilant, monitor, provide assistance in terms of energy and data sharing, and enhance preventive measures to
minimise any occurrence of cross-border haze during hot and dry weather between August and October.
“We hope for more enforcement and monitoring as well as hoping that the local government and the public stop conducting open burning because this dry and hot weather is expected to last until October,” she added.
The MSC member countries also agreed to enhance cooperation to effectively address cross-border haze
pollution in accordance with the Roadmap on Asean Cooperation towards Transboundary Haze Pollution Control with Means of Implementation.
Based on the current commitment given, it is believed that all MSC member countries are
working their best to address the
problem of cross-border haze at this time. In this regard, Malaysia will continue to work with
neighbouring countries
especially Indonesia to address the issue of cross-border haze.
“The state and local
government and all landowners are advised to closely monitor areas that are easily and often burned like chattels landfills, forests, peatlands and take measures to prevent the invasion by the irresponsible parties resulting in open burning either for a
specific purpose or accidentally.
“According to Section 29 (A) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, those convicted of open burning offenses may be liable to a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both. A maximum of RM2,000 can also be charged for each offense,” she warned.
DOE acting director Ahmad Saifful Salihin also mentioned that as of yesterday, none has been brought to court but “for us at DOE, we have two companies that are being investigated for legal action”.
