HAZE - INDONESIA’S ASSURANCE A JOKE AS HAZE THREATENS ASEAN NEIGHBOURS!

August 31, 2006 on 6:58 pm | In General |

(Original posted on 24 August 2006  6:20pm)

It is a periodic mantra - we complain, they agree to do something, we send our Ministers, they give fierce speeches and Indonesia replies with assurances and replies which is not fit to be used even as toilet paper!

So again, Indonesia’s neighbours have urged it to curb the region’s annual haze crisis by cracking down on forest fires, warning that the choking pollution is hurting economies and deterring tourists.

Smoke from fires raging on the jungle-covered Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo has worsened this week, casting a pall over neighbouring Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand!

As Malaysian business groups complained about the impact on the economy, the country’s outspoken trade minister, Kak Rafidah Aziz as I personally know her has stated that tough action was needed to resolve the recurring issue.

“We have to contend that this is something that will happen unless real serious efforts are being put by the governments where the haze originates,” she told reporters at Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) talks.

Rafidah said open burning must be contained as it was hurting members of the bloc including Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Thailand.

And it is really hurting our nation, its tourist arrivals and economic efforts as we approach our 49 National day Celebrations!

Perhaps, this years celebration will be hazed filed?

Interestingly, Syed Amin AlJeffri, co-chairman of the Asean Business Advisory Council, has stated that the haze, which in recent days has enveloped Kuala Lumpur, was hurting retail business in Malaysia.

I am aware that Air quality has worsened in Peninsular Malaysia in recent days, nearing unhealthy levels and obscuring views of the capital’s iconic Petronas Twin Towers, which is next to the Asean talks venue.

Last August if you remember - a state of emergency was declared in two locations on Malaysia’s west coast when the haze sent pollution levels soaring to extremely hazardous levels.

But, we have not learnt lessons and have yet to tell these Indonesians off!