Haze row: Malaysia to take transboundary pollution to Asean meeting in Manila

Malaysia has urged Indonesia to take decisive measures against fires contributing to transboundary haze, which impacts Malaysia's air quality and public health.

While emphasizing the importance of diplomatic relations, Malaysia's Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, highlighted the country's right to demand action, offering assistance to expedite firefighting efforts.

Despite Indonesia's verbal agreement to accept help, further coordination is needed.

Malaysia plans to discuss this issue at the upcoming ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting to seek a regional solution.

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 22 — Malaysia urges Indonesia to take firm and effective action to tackle fires contributing to transboundary haze pollution, which is affecting air quality and public well-being in Malaysia.

Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said Malaysia respected its good diplomatic relations with Indonesia but reserved the right to demand appropriate action to ensure its people could enjoy clean air.

“Malaysia’s stance is clear.

“We respect our good relations with Indonesia, but we also have the right to demand effective action when cross-border pollution affects our people.

“The fires must be controlled, pollution must be reduced and the people must be protected,” he said at a press conference on the latest haze developments here today.

Arthur said Malaysia had held several consultations with Indonesia and offered assistance, including assets and personnel, to expedite firefighting efforts in affected areas.

He said the offer was also conveyed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also raised the matter during his official visit to Indonesia.

Arthur said Indonesia had verbally agreed to accept Malaysia’s assistance, but further coordination was still underway pending authorisation for the deployment of assets and personnel.

He said Malaysia would raise the transboundary haze issue at the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, the Philippines, early next month to seek a more effective regional solution.

The government would study the outcome of the meeting before determining its next steps, he added.

Arthur said satellite reports on Oct 14 showed widespread clusters of hotspots in southern Sumatra, as well as West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan.

He stressed the importance of regional cooperation to ensure fires were controlled at source and prevent haze pollution from continuing to affect neighbouring countries. — Bernama

TalentCorp business as usual, says HR Ministry, as it lodges reports on alleged interference

Kuching school attack probe ongoing, police to hold press conference on Oct 27

Loke welcomes RM5m Masjid Jamek LRT makeover, wants stations to drive local economy

马来西亚敦促印度尼西亚采取果断措施，应对造成跨境烟霾的火灾，这些烟霾影响了马来西亚的空气质量和公众健康。

马来西亚自然资源与环境可持续发展部长拿督斯里亚瑟·约瑟夫·库鲁普在强调外交关系的重要性的同时，也强调了马来西亚有权要求采取行动，并提供援助以加快灭火工作。

尽管印尼口头同意接受援助，但仍需进一步协调。

马来西亚计划在即将举行的东盟外长会议上讨论这一问题，以寻求区域解决方案。

布城，10月22日讯——马来西亚敦促印度尼西亚采取坚定有效的行动，解决造成跨境烟霾污染的火灾问题，这种污染正在影响马来西亚的空气质量和公众福祉。

自然资源及环境可持续发展部长拿督斯里亚瑟·约瑟夫·库鲁普表示，马来西亚尊重与印度尼西亚的良好外交关系，但保留要求印尼采取适当行动以确保其人民能够享受清洁空气的权利。

“马来西亚的立场很明确。”

“我们尊重与印度尼西亚的良好关系，但当跨境污染影响到我们的人民时，我们也有权要求采取有效行动。

“必须控制火势，减少污染，保护人民，”他今天在此举行的新闻发布会上就最新雾霾情况表示。

阿瑟表示，马来西亚已与印度尼西亚进行了多次磋商，并提供了包括资产和人员在内的援助，以加快受灾地区的灭火工作。

他说，总理拿督斯里安瓦尔易卜拉欣也向印度尼西亚总统普拉博沃苏比安托转达了这一提议。

副首相拿督斯里艾哈迈德扎希德哈米迪在对印度尼西亚进行正式访问期间也提出了此事。

阿瑟表示，印尼已口头同意接受马来西亚的援助，但部署资产和人员的授权仍在进行中，双方仍需进一步协调。

他表示，马来西亚将在下月初于菲律宾马尼拉举行的东盟外长会议上提出跨境雾霾问题，以寻求更有效的区域解决方案。

他补充说，政府将研究会议结果，然后再决定下一步措施。

亚瑟表示，10 月 14 日的卫星报告显示，苏门答腊南部以及西加里曼丹、中加里曼丹和南加里曼丹地区出现大范围的热点聚集区。

他强调区域合作的重要性，以确保从源头控制火灾，并防止烟霾污染继续影响邻国。——马新社

人力资源部表示，人才机构（TalentCorp）的运作一切照常，同时就涉嫌干预事件提交了报告。

古晋校园袭击事件调查仍在进行中，警方将于10月27日召开新闻发布会。

陆兆福欢迎斥资500万令吉改造占美清真寺轻轨站，希望车站能带动当地经济发展。