KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has called for stronger measures from Indonesia to solve the haze problem, saying that the current plans in place will take too long to be effective.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia welcomed the commitment shown by Indonesian president Joko Widodo to strengthen enforcement and fire-prevention measures, but lamented that the plans would take at least three years to see results.
“We are grateful for the measures, but we think it will take too long. Every day, there is still open burning being carried out by farmers in Indonesia,” he said.
He was responding to a BBC interview on Sept 29, in which Joko called for countries to give Indonesia time to tackle forest fires. Zahid said steps were being undertaken by both countries to fight the haze, including legal action against companies responsible for carrying out harmful practices which contributed to forest fires.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tunku Jaafar had also been sent to negotiate with his Indonesian counterparts on the steps to be taken, Zahid said.
“We know that there are measures being taken but it is not enough. This happens every year. Already, we are spending too much on medical expenses, especially for those with problems such as asthma,” he said.
Zahid was speaking at the launch of ‘U-Turn’, a magazine talkshow by TV AlHijrah and the Home Ministry focusing on the spiritual rehabilitation of inmates in the Prisons Department parole programme.