Trans-boundary haze top agenda at ASEAN Environment Ministers' meeting

Saifulbahri Ismail Channel NewsAsia 12 Sep 12;

SINGAPORE: Environment and Water Resources Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said the issue of trans-boundary haze will be a top agenda when ASEAN Environment Ministers meet in Bangkok later this month.

Dr Balakrishnan was speaking to reporters on the haze problem on the sidelines of an environment fund-raiser event on Wednesday.

The skies have been hazy in recent days. This condition is set to continue as dry weather fuels hotspot activities in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Dr Balakrishan said he had written to his Indonesian counterpart offering help with fire-fighting and other ancillary services.

However, Indonesia said help is not needed at this point in time.

Dr Balakrishnan pointed out action is needed to ensure commercial operators do not take the easy way out and embark on clearing the forest and peat lands by cheap and easy burning.

"First we must get political commitment and equally, and even more importantly we must get action on the ground. That's the only thing that's going to put an end to this recurrent problem every year," he said.

- CNA/de