Haze Problem
Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Datuk Seri G. Palanivel said Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to work together to find a permanent solution to the haze problem that often affects the region.
"Malaysia has expressed the hope that government officials from both countries could work to constantly monitor hotspots,especially during the dry season to prevent forest and peat fires which contribute to the haze problem,” he said to Malaysian journalists after meeting Indonesian Environment Minister Dr Balthasar Kambuaya in Jakarta today.
The meeting was cordial. Palanivel also handed Balthasar a letter from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
At the meeting Palanivel informed Balthasar that Malaysia was ready to offer assistance to fight the forest and peat fires particularly in central Sumatra. The offer included sending firefighters, water bombers and acloud seeding team.
"We are actually very deeply concerned about the constant recurrence of this transboundary haze. The important thing is for us to cooperate with Indonesia.
Any time there is a haze problem, we have to work together to solve the problem immediately. So, we need short-term and long-term solutions.
"Palanivel said Malaysia looked forward to Indonesia's cooperation and decisive action in tackling the problem. Malaysia, meanwhile, was ready to provide all forms of technical assistance, including sending manpower, equipment and waters bombers, and doing cloud seeding in Sumatra or any other area in Indonesia.
He said Balthasar had conditionally agreed to any form of technical assistance and that "he would discuss it with his colleagues in the other relevant ministries, such as the agriculture and forestry ministries, to outline details of the assistance they would seek.
"On allegations that eight Malaysian companies were involved in open burning at their oil palm plantations in Riau, Palanivel said only four were
"Malaysia has expressed the hope that government officials from both countries could work to constantly monitor hotspots,especially during the dry season to prevent forest and peat fires which contribute to the haze problem,” he said to Malaysian journalists after meeting Indonesian Environment Minister Dr Balthasar Kambuaya in Jakarta today.
The meeting was cordial. Palanivel also handed Balthasar a letter from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
At the meeting Palanivel informed Balthasar that Malaysia was ready to offer assistance to fight the forest and peat fires particularly in central Sumatra. The offer included sending firefighters, water bombers and acloud seeding team.
"We are actually very deeply concerned about the constant recurrence of this transboundary haze. The important thing is for us to cooperate with Indonesia.
Any time there is a haze problem, we have to work together to solve the problem immediately. So, we need short-term and long-term solutions.
"Palanivel said Malaysia looked forward to Indonesia's cooperation and decisive action in tackling the problem. Malaysia, meanwhile, was ready to provide all forms of technical assistance, including sending manpower, equipment and waters bombers, and doing cloud seeding in Sumatra or any other area in Indonesia.
He said Balthasar had conditionally agreed to any form of technical assistance and that "he would discuss it with his colleagues in the other relevant ministries, such as the agriculture and forestry ministries, to outline details of the assistance they would seek.
"On allegations that eight Malaysian companies were involved in open burning at their oil palm plantations in Riau, Palanivel said only four were