By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 4: The federal government must move beyond monitoring the worsening haze situation and take more proactive and decisive action, including considering Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s proposal for ASEAN countries to pool firefighting resources, said Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap.
Yap said while Sarawak must continue strengthening its own fire prevention, monitoring and preparedness measures, the transboundary nature of the haze required stronger action at the federal and ASEAN levels.
“I am very concerned about the current haze situation and its potential impact on Sarawakians. This is precisely why I believe our Members of Parliament must raise this matter in Parliament and seek clear answers from the federal government,” he said in a statement today.
He said Sarawak could not control fires across the border or negotiate directly with foreign governments, making it essential for the federal government to use its diplomatic and regional channels to address the problem.
Yap said Wan Junaidi’s recent remarks on the transboundary haze issue should be given serious consideration, particularly given his previous experience as federal Natural Resources and Environment Minister from 2015 to 2018.
Wan Junaidi recently said the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) remained relevant, but stronger mechanisms, new technologies and faster decision-making were needed to deal with recurring haze episodes.
He had also proposed that ASEAN countries pool firefighting resources so that aircraft, personnel and other assets could be rapidly deployed whenever major forest and peat fires occur.
Wan Junaidi cited Malaysia’s experience during the severe 2015 haze crisis, when the country offered its Bombardier amphibious aircraft to assist Indonesia in fighting forest fires.
“Wan Junaidi speaks from experience. His proposal for ASEAN countries to pool resources and respond rapidly to forest fires is practical and deserves serious consideration.
“The lesson is clear — we cannot wait for haze to become severe before we act. We need faster decision-making, better coordination and the ability to deploy resources immediately,” he stressed
Yap also noted Wan Junaidi’s point that Sarawak, as part of Malaysia, could not independently negotiate with other countries on the issue.
He acknowledged that the federal government had already taken several steps to address the haze, including engagement by the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) with Indonesia and ASEAN.
Malaysia and Indonesia had also agreed to strengthen preventive measures, early firefighting and coordination on cloud-seeding operations, while Indonesia had granted Malaysia permission to conduct cloud-seeding operations in its airspace.
However, Yap said the continuing impact of haze on Sarawak showed that preparedness must be matched by timely and effective action.
“I welcome the efforts already undertaken by the federal government. But we cannot stop at monitoring, meetings and statements.
“When the air quality deteriorates and our people are affected, the public wants to know: What more can be done, how quickly can it be done, and who is responsible for making it happen?” he said.
Yap said Malaysia should also make full use of the ASEAN framework, noting that NRES had activated regional preparedness measures and called for stronger hotspot surveillance, enforcement against open burning and firefighting readiness.
He proposed five key areas for the federal government to intensify its efforts.
First, he called for continued high-level diplomatic engagement with Indonesia to address fires and hotspots in Kalimantan that could contribute to haze affecting Sarawak.
Second, Malaysia should work with ASEAN countries to establish a faster regional response mechanism allowing firefighting aircraft, personnel and other resources to be mobilised rapidly when major fires occur.
Third, real-time hotspot and fire information sharing between Malaysia, Indonesia and relevant ASEAN agencies should be strengthened so that action could begin before fires escalate.
Fourth, the federal government should ensure firefighting assets and cloud-seeding capabilities were ready for immediate deployment when conditions were suitable.
Fifth, protection for affected communities should be strengthened, including timely guidance and support for schools, healthcare facilities, local authorities and vulnerable groups when air quality deteriorates.
Yap said Sarawak’s MPs also had an important role to play in bringing the concerns of Sarawakians directly to Putrajaya.
“Our MPs should raise this matter in Parliament and ask the federal government for clear answers.
“What is the current situation? What resources are available? What discussions have taken place with Indonesia? What further assistance can be provided to Sarawak? And what is the long-term strategy to prevent this from becoming an annual crisis?” he asked.
He stressed that the haze issue should not be turned into a political contest.
“This is not about politics. It is about the health and safety of our people. I believe all MPs, regardless of political affiliation, should stand together in demanding stronger action to protect Sarawakians,” he said.
Yap said Sarawak would continue doing its part by strengthening fire detection, enforcement against open burning, peatland management, public awareness and emergency preparedness.
However, he said the transboundary nature of the haze required federal leadership and international engagement.
“Sarawak will continue to do what we can within our jurisdiction. But we cannot put out fires in another country. We cannot negotiate with Indonesia on behalf of Malaysia. That is why the federal government must lead,” he said.
Yap said Sarawakians should not have to wait until the haze reached critical levels before stronger measures were taken.
“We know the risks. We know the dry season. We know the haze can cross the border. We have experienced this before. The federal government must therefore be ahead of the problem, not behind it.
“Sarawakians are not asking for miracles. We are asking the federal government to use every available diplomatic channel, every available regional mechanism and every available resource to protect our people,” he said. — DayakDaily
