Malaysian Minister: Unfair to point finger at Malaysia over haze for companies’ wrongdoing

ZUHRIN AZAM AHMAD The Star 19 Sep 15;

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is disappointed that some parties are blaming the country for causing the haze.

Natural Resources and Environ­ment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said it was unfair to blame Malaysia for any alleged wrongdoing committed by its companies that were being investigated in connection with forest fires in Indonesia.

“This is just finding fault with us,” he said after chairing a meeting on the haze here yesterday.

He said some parties were holding the country partly responsible for the haze problem just because Malaysian companies were involved in plantation there.

Dr Wan Junaidi was asked to comment on a blog post that had blamed Malaysia for the haze, which is also affecting Singapore and Indonesia.

“If anyone is to be blamed, it should be the companies or individuals responsible for the companies.

“Malaysia, the Government or the ministry cannot be blamed if the companies investing in Indonesia did something wrong,” he said.

It has been reported a Malaysian-owned company is among more than 20 firms being investigated by the Indonesian authorities in connection with forest fires.

“If the company committed an offence, action should be and must be taken against it based on the law there,” Dr Wan Junaidi said.

He also announced that his meeting with his Indonesian counterpart on Sept 25 in Jakarta to discuss measures to tackle transboundary haze had been postponed.

“We are trying to get a new date. The meeting would include talks on a memorandum of understanding by Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and Thailand on action to be taken if haze recurred,” he said.

M’sia, Indonesia to seek solution to haze issue
The Star 19 Sep 15;

JAKARTA: Malaysia and Indonesia are to come up with a long-term solution to the annual haze from Indonesia that affects countries in the region, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The details would be worked out by the two countries, he told reporters here.

Dr Ahmad Zahid is on a four-day working visit to Indonesia starting on Thursday.

The haze, reportedly from fires to clear forests for planting crops, has posed a perennial problem for the region.

Dr Ahmad Zahid’s visit to Indonesia is his first official trip abroad since his appointment as the Deputy Prime Minister on July 28.

He held discussions with Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and called on Indonesian Vice-President Jusof Kalla at the Vice-Presidential Palace.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said the meeting with Luhut also touched on the economy and social problems, including the legalisation of Indonesian illegal workers in Malaysia and common border issues.

“I feel the problems that have yet to be discussed and resolved can be settled with the good relations prevailing between the top leaders of Malaysia and Indonesia,” he said. — Bernama


Indonesia Admits Difficulty In Tackling Haze Problem, But Assures It Will Do Its Best
Bernama 18 Sep 15;

JAKARTA, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- Indonesia admitted its difficulty in overcoming the haze problem, but gave the assurance that it would do its best to solve it.

Its Vice President Jusof Kalla said the Indonesian government had done what it could over the haze problem, the effects of which were also felt by its neighbouring countries, Malaysia and Singapore.

"I've always said that this is an environmental problem. We have carried out efforts including deploying 20 helicopters and other aircraft to overcome the problem, but clearly it's difficult. This is because it's the dry season now."

He said this at a news conference after receiving a courtesy call from Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at his office, here, today.

Jusof said the Malaysian government itself had stated its support, that if there were Malaysian plantation companies, especially in Sumatra, involved in open burning, thus causing the haze, action could be taken against them.

"What is important is doing our best (in tackling the haze problem) but climate change has also contributed to the problem.

"As neighbouring countries, we together enjoy our world and we all bear the consequences of we do wrong (mismanaging the environment). In reality, we (Indonesia) suffer more (from the haze problem)," he said.

On another matter, Jusof said Malaysia and Indonesia as the world's biggest producer of palm oil should be united in facing competition from other edible oils such as soya and sunflower seed oil.

"Malaysia and Indonesia produce 80 per cent of the world's palm oil and we have to face competition from other sources (of edible oil), hence the need for Malaysia and Indonesia to be united in facing this challenge," he said.

On the one-hour meeting with Ahmad Zahid today, Jusof said their discussion focused on better Malaysia-Indonesia relations.

"We also discussed the economy, social issues and regional peace," he said.

-- BERNAMA


Malaysia and Indonesia to come up with long-term solution to haze problem
ADRIAN LAI New Straits Times 18 Sep 15;

JAKARTA: The Malaysian and Indonesian governments will come up with long-term measures to solve the perennial haze problem afflicting both countries, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with several top-level Indonesian officials here today, Zahid said details of the long-term solution to the haze issue would be ironed out by the countries’ relevant ministries.

“I believe the various issues between Malaysia and Indonesia can be solved amicably, thanks to the healthy working relationship between the number one leaders from both countries,” he told reporters at the Vice Presidential Palace here.

Zahid subsequently met with Indonesian vice-president Jusuf Kalla, where both leaders discussed bilateral issues for an hour.

He had earlier met with Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.

During the meeting with Luhut, Zahid said, both leaders focused on socio-economic issues affecting both neighbouring countries.

“This includes the plight of Indonesians working illegally in Malaysia. Those who wish to go home can request proper documentation from the Indonesian embassy in Malaysia before doing so,” Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said.

Zahid also said any land boundary disputes between Malaysia and Indonesia would be solved amicably.

Following Zahid’s meeting with Kalla, both leaders proceeded to perform the Friday prayer at the Baiturrahman mosque located within the Vice Presidential Palace.