Malaysia has said it will not protect its companies if they are found guilty of practising slash-and-burn to clear lands in Kalimantan and Sumatra in Indonesia.
By Melissa Goh, Malaysia Bureau Chief, Channel NewsAsia 23 Sep 15;
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has said it will not protect its companies if they are found guilty of practising slash-and-burn to clear lands in Kalimantan and Sumatra in Indonesia.
Malaysia's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said Indonesian authorities need to put in place proper laws and tighten enforcement in order to effectively curb the haze menace.
Mr Wan Junaidi, who took over the ministry less than two months ago, expressed regrets that the scheduled meeting with his Indonesian counterpart was postponed indefinitely.
He said it's not fair for Jakarta to blame foreign plantation giants for starting fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan that have engulfed the region in choking haze, including neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore.
Mr Wan Junaidi said: "Any company operating in Indonesia is subjected to Indonesian laws. If you have the proper and right kind of law, no company nor individual will oppose it. It all boils down to enforcement ... and the political will. Malaysia as a nation, we are not going to protect them if indeed Malaysian companies are doing it."
Many oil palm concessions in Kalimantan and Sumatra are owned by listed plantation companies in Malaysia which sometimes leased out lands to small holders. Mr Wan Junaidi said these small holders may not have the knowledge and expertise to clear lands for new crops, apart from slash-and-burn that's regarded as the cheapest and fastest method.
Mr Wan Junaidi said: "Why it happens so much in Kalimantan and Sumatra and it does not happen here when we have the same kind of porous peat land is because we take care of it ... we have the expertise, the knowledge and the experience, we are ready to assist Indonesia as and when necessary."
He said Malaysia stands ready to help Jakarta in early warning and prevention of peat forest fires, including building tube wells and fire breakers in hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Mr Wan Junaidi added that both countries are working towards signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to operationalise the plan by year end.
- CNA/de
