Who’s behind the haze? No conclusive evidence linking Malaysian firms to Indonesia fires, says Arthur Kurup

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — There is no conclusive evidence that Malaysian-linked plantation companies were responsible for fires in Indonesia, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said.

He said NRES and the Plantation and Commodities Ministry had examined allegations that Malaysian companies were involved in burning activities in Indonesia.

“Based on our assessment to date, there is no conclusive evidence confirming that Malaysian-linked plantation companies were responsible for the fires.

“The government’s position is clear that any party proven to be responsible for haze pollution must face appropriate action in accordance with the law,” he said.

Arthur was winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2027 for his ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to Mohamad Shafizan Kepli (GPS-Batang Lupar), who asked about proposals for specific legislation to address transboundary haze pollution and action against companies found responsible.

Arthur said the proposal to restrict financing for companies proven to be responsible for haze pollution required further scrutiny, particularly regarding the legal basis, evidentiary standards, jurisdiction and implications for the financial sector.

“The ministry has also examined on several occasions the merits of enacting a Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, similar to legislation introduced by a neighbouring country.

“However, implementation would present challenges, particularly in terms of jurisdiction, the collection and verification of evidence overseas, the determination of corporate liability and the implications for the sovereignty of other countries,” he said.

On proposals to seek compensation and damages, Arthur said the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) did not currently provide a specific mechanism for compensation claims between countries.

“Nevertheless, the government is open to examining the suitability of other legal mechanisms, subject to the availability of a basis under international law.

“A comprehensive study of the economic losses caused by haze, including its effects on public health, productivity and economic activity, is important in providing a scientific and economic basis for policy considerations and follow-up action,” he said. — Bernama

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吉隆坡，10月28日——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·库鲁普表示，没有确凿证据表明与马来西亚有关联的种植园公司应对印尼的火灾负责。

他说，国家资源经济服务局和种植及商品部已经调查了有关马来西亚公司参与印尼纵火活动的指控。

“根据我们目前的评估，尚无确凿证据证实与马来西亚有关联的种植园公司应对火灾负责。

他说：“政府的立场很明确，任何被证实对雾霾污染负有责任的一方都必须依法受到相应的处罚。”

今天，在下议院，亚瑟正在为他所在部门就2027年供应法案进行的辩论做总结。他回应了莫哈末·沙菲赞·凯普利（砂拉越政党联盟-峇当鲁巴）的提问，后者询问了有关跨境烟霾污染的具体立法提案以及对相关责任企业的追究。

亚瑟表示，限制对被证实造成雾霾污染的公司进行融资的提议需要进一步审查，特别是关于法律依据、证据标准、管辖权以及对金融行业的影响。

“该部还多次研究了制定《跨境烟霾污染法》的利弊，该法类似于邻国出台的立法。

“然而，实施起来会面临挑战，尤其是在管辖权、海外证据的收集和核实、企业责任的确定以及对其他国家主权的影响等方面，”他说。

关于寻求赔偿和损害赔偿的提议，亚瑟表示，东盟跨境烟霾污染协定（AATHP）目前没有提供国家间赔偿请求的具体机制。

“尽管如此，政府仍愿意研究其他法律机制的适用性，但前提是必须有国际法依据。

他说：“全面研究雾霾造成的经济损失，包括其对公众健康、生产力和经济活动的影响，对于为政策考量和后续行动提供科学和经济依据至关重要。”——马新社

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