PUTRAJAYA: The government is doing all it can to bring the haze under control as well as improve air quality in the country.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a tongue in cheek manner said
the government would also pray for rain as the haze situation continued to worsen.
“We will pray for rain,” he said, when asked about further measures taken by the government to control the haze.
“Of course, other things that we have done includes cloud seeding, advising people to wear masks and now using drones to create artificial rain,” he said after attending the 10th Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption (JKKMAR) meeting, here, today.
On the costs incurred by the government in carrying out cloud seeding, Dr Mahathir said he had yet to receive any information on the matter.
“However, we are now suggesting the use of drones to form artificial rain.
“We can use several of them, particularly in Putrajaya which is badly affected by haze,” he added.
Dr Mahathir said the government had offered to help put out forest fires in Indonesia, but Jakarta had not requested for assistance.
“We had offered help all the time. We have airplanes that are special which spray water. I think it can be used.
“I don’t know why Indonesia is not accepting our help. I would also like to ask (President Joko Widodo) why the government don’t want to receive our help but I have not done that yet,” he added.