Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has urged Malaysian plantation companies operating in Indonesia to prevent their workers from using slash-and-burn methods for land clearing, especially with the current haze situation. Lee, the chairman of the Alliance for A Safe Community, emphasized that the slash-and-burn technique is the main cause of transboundary haze, which is likely to worsen due to the effects of El Nino. He also called for increased vigilance from the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry in monitoring and preventing open burning locally.
Lee pointed out that there are specific areas in Selangor, particularly in Ampang Jaya, where open burning is rampant in squatter settlements and construction sites. He urged Malaysians to avoid participating in open burning and to promptly report any sightings to the authorities. Furthermore, Lee emphasized the need for ASEAN countries to focus on finding a lasting solution to transboundary haze and completely eliminate it from the region.
Highlighting the severity of the issue, climate expert Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah noted that farmers in Sumatra and Kalimantan started burning plantations and undergrowth at peatlands in July, which could worsen the haze situation if coupled with the El Nino effect. He warned that high levels of particle pollution can have detrimental health effects as fine particles can penetrate the respiratory and cardiovascular system.
Expressing concern about the impact on Indonesian citizens, Azizan highlighted that transboundary haze has been a persistent problem in the region since 1994. He criticized Indonesia’s major businesses for not prioritizing the well-being of their own people and stated that the health impact on Indonesians is two to three times higher due to the higher readings of particulate matter.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
