BUTTERWORTH: Malaysia needs to make use of its position as the Asean chairman and combat haze issue that hits the country annually the Health Ministry said today.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said that it is high time for all Asean countries to collaborate and curb the haze issue instead of blaming Indonesia solely but not giving solutions.
"Solutions to curb haze should be the main priority of Asean because not only Malaysia but Brunei, Singapore and other neighbouring countries are affected too.
"The issue had gone worse after schools were ordered for closure affecting the education system of the country," he said today after the state’s AGM 2015 meeting held at The Light Hotel today.
Dr Subramaniam said Indonesia must not be the only country solving the epidemic matter but all countries should involve and help solve the haze crisis.
Meanwhile, in another development, Dr Subramaniam who is also the MIC president, said the party is strongly against any quarters which speaks ill of the demolition of vernacular schools in Malaysia.
He said Tamil schools will never be demolished by the government and it is protected under the Malaysian Constitution.
"MIC will not tolerate with any party which speaks ill or spreading false news about the demolition of vernacular schools.
"MIC is strongly against quarters that spread news about the government's so called intention to abolish tamil schools.
"Please bear in mind that vernacular schools are protected under the Malaysian Constitution and no one, I repeat, no one has the rights to question it," he added today.