International forum needed to find effective solution to haze problem - Shahidan

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim today proposed that an international forum be held from time to time to find the most effective long-term solution to the haze problem in the region.

He said the forum should be convened by the Asean member countries to discuss, among others, on controlling the problem and conducting checks from time to time on all hotspots.

Shahidan said discussions should also be held at the scene (of the forest burning) so that the public would understand that such open burning would only cause hardship to others and detrimental to the affected countries.

"Perhaps those who cause the haze are safe because the wind blows the smoke haze to Malaysia, so Malaysians are not safe. I believe greater public awareness should be created througn such a forum."

Shahidan said this in reply to Senator Datuk Boon Som Inong who asked whether Asean should take stern action and work at curbing the haze from affecting its member countries.

Last month, Malaysia and Singapore were badly hit by haze caused by forest fires in Sumatra and Riau, Indonesia.

To a supplementary question from Senator Muhammad Yusof Husin, Shahidan said the government always tried its best to prevent a recurrence of the haze problem.

"The Indonesian government has promised and is committed to ensuring stricter enforcement of its laws while its people will be given training in fighting forest fires and awareness on managing peat soil."

Shahidan said although Malaysia and Indonesia had sufficient laws to solve the haze problem, action was only taken when it happened.

Muhammad Yusof had wanted to know whether the Malaysian government would be the initiator of forming a special committee at the Asean level to pressure Indonesia to ensure the haze problem would not recur.