ASEAN needs to review its existing mechanisms for dealing with transboundary haze as worsening air pollution continues to threaten public health, particularly among children and babies, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
He said ASEAN ministers should give the issue serious attention, following the return of hazardous air quality in Serian, Sarawak.
“There is room for improvement. I think the ASEAN ministers must seriously look at it, because this is affecting lives, particularly of children, and babies, and if we have seen in Serian (it) is really concerning,” he told the media after attending a meeting with staff of the Ministry of Plantations and Commodities today.
Air quality in Serian reached hazardous levels this morning after the Air Pollutant Index (API) at the district police headquarters recorded a reading of 302.
The haze emergency declared across the Serian Division by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, last Friday was lifted yesterday after air quality conditions improved.
Anwar also said any allegations involving open burning in Indonesia should be thoroughly investigated, including determining the actual cause of fires before action is taken or accusations are made.
He said Malaysia would respect any legal action taken by Indonesian authorities against Malaysian companies found to have contributed to the haze.
“If there are Malaysian companies that are affected (involved), we will give Indonesia space to take action. We will certainly respect the actions there and we will not defend (them),” he said.
He stressed that Malaysia would not intervene or protect companies found responsible for open burning or other violations of local laws.
The comments come as the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights called for the bloc to treat the transboundary haze crisis as a human rights emergency and strengthen enforcement against activities linked to forest fires, deforestation and agricultural burning.
