KUALA LUMPUR: Greenpeace has criticised the government's decision to withdraw the proposal for the Transboundary Haze Act (THA), arguing that without this act, it becomes challenging to demonstrate the government's commitment to addressing haze pollution.
Its Southeast Asia Regional Campaign Strategist, Heng Kiah Chun pointed out that the THA in Singapore indirectly lent moral weight to the Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) boycott led by the Singapore Environment Council and Consumers Association of Singapore in 2015.
In September 2015, Singapore listed APP as one of the firms under investigation for its role in regional forest fires that contributed to the haze.
Heng stated, "Following the suspension of APP's Green Label certification by the authorities, major supermarkets in Singapore ceased stocking its products, resulting in significant financial losses for the company."
He clarified that no fines or lawsuits have been imposed since the Act was enacted in Singapore, but emphasised that it serves as an essential deterrent.
Additionally, Heng noted that last month, the government announced that it would not protect Malaysian companies operating overseas if they were responsible for large-scale fires leading to transboundary haze.
He also highlighted that three days ago, Indonesia's highest court dismissed the appeal by Malaysian-owned TDM Bhd's subsidiary related to a 2019 fire incident on its land in West Kalimantan province.
Heng said, "This serves as an example of Malaysian companies being involved in causing haze pollution."
Today, the government decided not to proceed with tabling the proposed THA, which was aimed at taking action against Malaysian companies or individuals responsible for haze in the country, regardless of where the burning occurred.
Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad explained that this decision was made after considering feedback from the Attorney-General's Chambers (AG-C) and legal experts' perspectives, focusing on the challenges associated with prosecution.
He also added that the ministry had assessed the appropriateness of enacting the law from various angles, including feasibility, diplomatic relations, and the importance of preventing environmental pollution.