By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, Sept 6: The Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change will be sending a diplomatic note to the Indonesian government to deal with the haze problem.
Deputy Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis said that the diplomatic note would be sent to Indonesia as soon as possible.
“We will continue to work with Indonesia to deal with trans-boundary haze problem,” she told a press conference today.
“The Ministry will be sending a diplomatic note to Indonesia so that immediate actions would be taken to put out and prevent open burning from happening in the region again,” she added.
Isnaraissah revealed that the National Open Burning Action Plan has also been activated to take action against indiscriminate open burning.
She warned that enforcement will be carried out on known hotspots around the country, but the main contributor to the haze problem in the country was the trans-boundary haze.
The state government, local governments and landowners have been advised to monitor potential hotspots like landfills, forests, peat forests, farmlands and industrial areas, and to take necessary measures to prevent trespassing that could lead to suspected sabotage.
According to Section 29(A) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, those found to have committed indiscriminate open burning will be fined not more than RM500,000 or imprisonment not more than five years, or both.
“A maximum compound of RM2,000 shall be imposed for every fire heap,” she added. — DayakDaily
