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View issues with Tan Seng Giaw

View issues with Tan Seng Giaw

The Government must use greater efforts to overcome the problem of haze

Posted: 11 May 2011 09:37 PM PDT

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reminds the Government again to have further discussions with Indonesian government to find solutions to recurrent haze in Malaysia, including persuading the latter to ratify the Treaty on Transboundary Haze Pollution adopted by ASEAN.

According to media reports, the haze in this country comes annually from Sumatra and Kalimantan. The Air Pollution Index(API)issued by the Department of Environment reaches over 100 in some areas. This is unhealthy.

On 12.5.2011, Dr Tan repeats his statement on the annual haze.

For many years, haze appears in Malaysia and neighbouring countries, affecting the people. For example, today the API in Klang is over 100, Banting 96, Shah Alam 84, Bukit Rambai, Melaka 82. The Department of Environment believes that this fine dust comes from Sumatra and Central Riau. Some Indonesians say that this has nothing to do with their country. Farmers clear land for cultivation by burning and plantations burn old trees to save cost.

Association of South East Asian Nations, ASEAN, has repeatedly discussed this issue. For instance, ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, AIPA, has resolutions on the subject. Malaysian Government has frequent meetings with Indonesian Government, reaching agreements. Alas, farm burnings and forest fires persist. We have heard about Malaysian-Indonesian Joint Disaster Management Committee, Cross-Border-Fire-Fighting Operations and so forth. But, there is little effective action.

In 2002, ASEAN adopted a treaty on Transboundary Haze Pollution. Indonesia has not ratified it. This is to coordinate joint efforts to overcome farm burnings, forest fires and haze.

Tan Seng Giaw
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