Dewan Rakyat rejects BN and Pakatan motions to discuss haze issue

Emergency motions to debate the haze crisis in Parliament filed by both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat leaders were rejected by the House today.

In dismissing the two motions under Standing Order 43, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia explained that the government was already taking the necessary steps to address the matter by engaging with their Indonesian counterparts.

“On top of that, the government has already closed down schools at the affected areas. On my part, I have given the motions to the ministry responsible for further action,” he said.

On Monday, DAP's Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching filed a motion under Standing Order 18 (1) to debate on ongoing haze situation.

At the same time, MCA's Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Wee Ka Siong also filed a similar motion on the matter. "It is unusual for an emergency motion on a same issue to be filed by both sides and it shows that this is definitely an issue which is urgent and of public importance," said Teo.

Meanwhile, Wee said that the Speaker's argument that the relevant Ministries were already tackling the issue was flawed as the problem had many dimentions and involved many ministries.

“This issue involves the Health Ministry, the Education Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, and more.

Former Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai also said it was time end blame game, and urged for Indonesia to ratify the ASEAN Agreement on Trans-boundary Haze Pollution.

"Some Indonesian ministers still want to play the blame game saying we are only there during the good times but Malaysia has always been with them from the start."