By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 4: The federal government should introduce a temporary Haze Medical Assistance Scheme to subsidise medical treatment for vulnerable and lower-income Sarawakians whenever air pollution reaches very unhealthy or hazardous levels, says DAPSY Sarawak Committee member Wong King Yii.
Wong said the proposed scheme could provide financial relief to those who need medical attention during severe haze episodes, particularly vulnerable groups who may otherwise delay seeking treatment due to cost.
He said the scheme should involve participating private clinics and be activated when air quality reaches very unhealthy or hazardous levels.
“This would provide subsidised treatment for vulnerable and lower-income groups,” he said in a statement today.
Wong also proposed establishing Clean Air Centres in badly affected areas by equipping existing public buildings or community halls with proper air filtration systems, giving vulnerable groups a temporary refuge from hazardous air.
He said targeted subsidies or vouchers for air purifiers and replacement filters should also be considered for lower-income households, particularly those with elderly persons, young children or family members with respiratory conditions.
Existing workplace haze protection guidelines should likewise be reviewed and more effectively enforced to protect construction workers, delivery riders, enforcement personnel and others required to work outdoors, he added.
However, Wong stressed that protecting Sarawakians from the health impact of haze was only part of the solution.
He said Malaysia must also address recurring transboundary haze, particularly with evidence showing haze drifting from hotspot clusters in Kalimantan towards Sarawak.
Malaysia, he said, should take the lead in pushing for a review of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution to introduce stronger accountability, independent verification of pollution sources and appropriate enforcement and compensation mechanisms.
Wong also called on Malaysia to study Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act 2014, which allows action against entities whose activities outside Singapore cause or contribute to haze pollution within the country.
“This is not about damaging relations with Indonesia, but ensuring that regional cooperation comes with responsibility and accountability,” he said.
Wong said Sarawakians should not have to accept haze as an annual event.
“We must protect those affected today while ensuring those responsible for transboundary pollution are ultimately held accountable,” he said.
Wong is also assistant to Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen. — DayakDaily
