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By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 15: Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah today has called on the Federal Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad to ‘tegur’ (tell off) Indonesia over haze.
Speaking to reporters at an official function held at the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) building here, Abdul Karim noted that the air quality in Kuching seems to be hazy presently, hinting that the neighbouring country may have contributed to it.
“This matter is on a G2G (government-to-government) level where we (Malaysia) have a ministry in charge of environment and Indonesia also have a similar ministry of their own.
“Thus, I hope our Minister (Nik Nazmi) would ‘tegur-tegur’ (complain) to the other side a little,” he said.
Abdul Karim who is also Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) further said that Malaysia had faced the same problem on transboundary haze several years back and the then Minister (Energy, Science, Technology, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin) had informed the Indonesian president Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on the matter before the problem was resolved.
“Maybe this time, we need ‘tegur’ them again.
“If the Sarawak Minister in charge of environment or Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) director wants to do the honour, that would be difficult because it has to be on a G2G level,” he opined.
Kuching city’s skyline was veiled in haze today, despite recording a moderate air quality reading at 87 based on Air Pollutant Index of Malaysia (APIMS) readings as at 12pm today. — DayakDaily
