KUCHING, Sept 7: The Sarawak Patriots’ Association (SPA) today has urged the federal Minister of Environment to write a letter of protest to the authorities in Kalimantan to express Sarawak’s disappointment that Indonesia does not live up to the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) signed in 2002.
According to SPA president Datuk John Lau, the AATHP 2002 was signed during the Asian ministerial meeting whereby Indonesia agreed to take all necessary precautions to tackle transboundary haze issues.
Lau also urged the international environment authorities to take the necessary actions against the Kalimantan Government for its failure to put off the fire that has caused massive haze in Sarawak.
“SPA has received many calls today asking us to write a strong protest that the federal Minister of Environment keeps very quiet on the current haze situation which affects Sarawak.
“The current Air Pollutant Index (API) of 245 is very unhealthy. It may cause asthma attack, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, breathing problems, skin itchiness, breathlessness and lung problems.
“The authorities need to show to us that they care about the wellbeing of Sarawakians and that we are equal partners in the Federation of Malaysia,” said Lau  in a statement today.
Lau also chided the federal Minister of Environment that she has not even visited Sarawak when it is facing grave haze issue.
“During the chemical hazards in Johor recently, federal ministers visited the site. But we are yet to see the federal Minister of Environment visiting Sarawak,” Lau said.— DayakDaily
