Sarawak PKR hands over haze memo
Malaysiakini
Oct  7, 2006
Tony Thien

Sarawak PKR has called on the Indonesian government to take immediate and firm action to meet its Asean obligations and ensure a zero burning policy within its sovereign territory.

"Only with firm action by the Indonesian government will this annual toxic environmental disaster be overcome once and for all," it said in a two-page memorandum addressed to the Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Drs KPH Rusdihardjo.

The memorandum was handed over to the acting Indonesian Consulate General Dr Rubaya Thalib at his office in Bangunan Binamas in Kuching yesterday afternoon by a 12-member delegation headed by PKR state assemblyperson for Padungan Dominique Ng (left).

A copy of the memorandum was also sent to Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

The PKR delegation carried banners with words in three languages, including 'Stop poisoning Sarawak' and 'Stop the haze' in front of the Indonesian Consulate office.

But only Ng was allowed to meet the Indonesian diplomat in his office.

Concerted effort

Ng later told malaysiakini that the meeting was a cordial one, and Thalib did not deny his country's responsibility for the haze, but pointed out that the solution to the problem required a concerted effort not only by Indonesia alone but also other countries as new and sophisticated equipment were required to control the haze.

Thalib also told Ng that the biggest concentration of the fires were in Central Kalimantan because of the activities of the slash and burn padi farmers who themselves became victims, of the plantation as well as timber companies.

He admitted enforcement was lax and apologised for what was happening to the neighbouring countries.

Sarawak has borne the brunt of the transboundary haze originating in Kalimantan Borneo.

"Sarawak PKR wishes to remind the Indonesian government that it is morally if not legally obliged under international law to adhere and give substantive expression to Article 9 of the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution reached in Kuala Lumpur in 2002," the memorandum said.

Under the agreement, the signatory countries have agreed not only to prevent open burning via legislative and other regulatory measures but also to promote a zero burning policy to ensure the prevention of any transboundary haze.

"Sarawak PKR regrets that the current incidence of transboundary haze clearly indicates that Indonesia is not meeting its international obligations to Asean and its citizens under the Asean agreement that it is party to," it also said.