Haze should be addressed at ASEAN level - Health Minister

Malaysia should use its status as ASEAN Chairman this year to tackle the haze crisis that has hit the region.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said Malaysia could bring this matter for discussion in regional meetings so that issues could be resolved.

He said the best step to address this crisis was by using every means and instrument in the platform and ASEAN framework, so that the matter could be addressed by all ASEAN members.

"The haze crisis is nothing new and every year, Malaysia expects Indonesia to solve this problem, but Indonesia has failed to deal with it.

"This is not anymore a problem of an individual country, we must look at this issue as a regional issue and Malaysia as chairman can bring this matter to an ASEAN meeting so that an agenda can be established," he told reporters before opening the Penang MIC convention, Monday.

Dr Subramaniam said the haze crisis had affected the daily activities of some regional countries, including Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore.

He said the implementation of programmes within the region would be possible if the issue was brought up at ASEAN level talks.

"The views and cooperation among ASEAN members will assist in solving this problem," he said.

The haze which hit the country a few days ago has caused schools to be closed, and delayed aircraft landing at airports.

Meanwhile, the minister said he had not received any proposal from National Sports Day organisers to postpone programmes, adding that perhaps, the organisers hoped the weather would improve soon.

National Sports Day, to be held for the first time on Oct 10, is set to be an annual event on the second Saturday of October nationwide, to raise awareness among the people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and turn Malaysia into a sporting nation.