Bernama 5 Oct 15;
BUTTERWORTH, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia should use its status as ASEAN Chairman this year to tackle the haze crisis that has hit the region.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said Malaysia could bring this matter for discussion in regional meetings so that issues could be resolved.
He said the best step to address this crisis was by using every means and instrument in the platform and ASEAN framework, so that the matter could be addressed by all ASEAN members.
"The haze crisis is nothing new and every year, Malaysia expects Indonesia to solve this problem, but Indonesia has failed to deal with it.
"This is not anymore a problem of an individual country, we must look at this issue as a regional issue and Malaysia as chairman can bring this matter to an ASEAN meeting so that an agenda can be established," he told reporters before opening the Penang MIC convention here today.
Dr Subramaniam said the haze crisis had affected the daily activities of some regional countries, including Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore.
He said the implementation of programmes within the region would be possible if the issue was brought up at ASEAN level talks.
"The views and cooperation among ASEAN members will assist in solving this problem," he said.
The haze which hit the country a few days ago has caused schools to be closed, and delayed aircraft landing at airports.
Meanwhile, the minister said he had not received any proposal from National Sports Day organisers to postpone programmes, adding that perhaps, the organisers hoped the weather would improve soon.
National Sports Day, to be held for the first time on Oct 10, is set to be an annual event on the second Saturday of October nationwide, to raise awareness among the people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and turn Malaysia into a sporting nation.
-- BERNAMA
Putrajaya working on Bill against companies responsible for haze
Today Online 6 Oct 15;
KUALA LUMPUR/JAKARTA — The Malaysian government may enact a law to deal with companies domestically as well as those based overseas responsible for causing the haze, local media reported today (Oct 6).
“At the moment, we cannot take action against Indonesian companies as we do not have transborder laws like in Singapore,” said Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, yesterday.
He was referring to Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, which allows entities causing or contributing to unhealthy levels of haze in Singapore to be fined up to S$2 million.
To date, Singapore’s National Environment Agency has issued preventive measures notices to five Indonesian companies that are suspected to be causing the haze, putting into action powers available under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act for the first time since it was passed last year.
The notices require the firms to deploy firefighting personnel to extinguish or prevent the spread of any fire on land owned or occupied by them, and to discontinue any burning activities on such land, among other things.
Dr Wan Junaidi added that the Bill, which is still in the works, would give the government power to act beyond Malaysian borders, reported Utusan Malaysia, a newspaper owned by ruling United Malays National Organisation, today.
The newspaper also reported that the minister urged Indonesia to implement stricter laws to tackle the haze problem.
Yesterday, Deputy Tourism and Culture Minister Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, told reporters that the haze has affected tourist arrivals to Malaysia, and that the ministry was working on initiatives and strategies to attract foreign tourists.
Meanwhile, in a reflection of the spiralling cost needed to combat the forest fires behind the haze blanketing the region, Indonesian authorities also announced yesterday that 500 billion rupiah (S$50.2 million) has been spent on firefighting efforts so far.
According to a spokesman for Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the agency had earlier estimated that the haze mitigation efforts would cost 385 billion rupiah, but with the deployment of additional manpower, the costs could continue to rise beyond the 500 billion rupiah that has already been spent.
Mr Sutopo added that despite firefighting efforts, the forest fires have showed no signs of abating.
At the same time, Indonesian health authorities announced today that more than 300,000 cases of haze-related respiratory illnesses have been recorded since the dry season began in June.
“The average number of patients seeking treatment at health facilities has risen by 15 to 20 per cent in the last three weeks. The conditions will (continue to) worsen if the haze (isn’t extinguished) soon,” Indonesian Health Minister Nila Moeloek told reporters at a press conference today.
Health officials also said that South Sumatra has the highest level of air pollution, with the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reaching a staggering 880 today, which is considered hazardous. AGENCIES
Cloud seeding done daily
The Star 7 Oct 15;
KUALA LUMPUR: Cloud seeding has been conducted almost every day in areas with sufficient cumulus clouds since the haze problem began early last month.
And the Government has enough resources to continue such operations in areas severely hit by the haze.
“So far, we have had no problem with funding and our equipment is always on standby.
“We can do it anytime and any place, scattered throughout the country when the situation needs it,” said Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah.
He was speaking to reporters after launching the 4th Federation of Asian Polymer Societies and International Polymer Congress at Putra World Trade Centre yesterday.
Abu Bakar dismissed allegations that the Ministry had used harmful chemicals in any of its cloud seeding operations.
“The matter used in cloud seeding is natrium chloride, which is regular salt used for daily cooking. When we mix salt and spray it on the clouds, the clouds will become heavy and it will turn into rain.
“How is that harmful to the people?” he asked, urging the public not to believe rumours spread in social media.
Meanwhile, Langkawi recorded the highest air pollutant index (API) reading at 161 as of 2pm yesterday. It was among 17 locations which recorded unhealthy air levels.
The API reading for Langkawi taken at 11am was 168, according to the portal of the Department of Environment.
Others include Bakar Arang in Sungai Petani (Kedah) – with API readings of 102 – Kuala Selangor (128); Port Klang (122), Shah Alam (113); Banting (106); Port Dickson (109); Malacca City and Bukit Rambai in Malacca (108).
An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy and 300 and above, hazardous.
The public can check the DoE portal at apims.doe.gov.my for the latest API readings in their areas.
Less haze from now until Sunday
FARHANA SYED NOKMAN New Straits Times 6 Oct 15;
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is expected to experience less haze from now until Oct 11 due to the presence of tropical storm Mujigae, said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
"Mujigae will affect the wind as it would be weaker, blowing from various directions.
"The weather conditions in the region are expected to be wetter with rain and thunderstorms at several areas in the country in the afternoons.
"Due to this, the thick haze is expected to reduce from today until Oct 11," he told a press conference after the Haze Committee meeting, here today.
Wan Junaidi said Indonesia has also predicted that its burning activities could only be brought under control by the end of November.
Education Ministry: Schools nationwide to re-open Wednesday, except in Langkawi
Bernama 6 Oct 15;
PUTRAJAYA: All schools in the country are to re-open Wednesday except for those in Langkawi, where the Air Pollutant Index (API) remains at "unhealthy" levels, says Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
He said the closure involved 28 schools and a total of 18,759 students.
"The Kedah State Education Department and Langkawi district education office shall inform schools and parents in the district on the closure immediately," he told reporters after chairing the state education executive council meeting here.
Mahdzir said all state education departments, school districts and school management committees across the country should continually monitor API readings.
He said that in the event of an increase in API to unhealthy and very unhealthy levels, the parties concerned could take action at their respective levels, as set by the Ministry.
Langkawi recorded an "Unhealthy" API of 158 at 7pm Tuesday. - Bernama
Langkawi API reading tops list of 17 unhealthy areas
MICHELLE TAM The Star 6 Oct 15;
PETALING JAYA: With a reading of 168, Langkawi recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) in the country at 11am Tuesday.
And at 136, Kuala Selangor is the second highest of the 17 areas deemed unhealthy according to the Department of Environment website.
The other areas are Pasir Gudang, Johor and Port Klang, Selangor (both 127); Seri Manjung, Perak (122); Shah Alam (117); Larkin Lama, Johor (113); Kangar, Perlis (111); Bandaraya Melaka and Bukit Rambai, Malacca and Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang (all 110); Banting, Selangor (108); Seberang Jaya 2, Perai (105); Bakar Arang, Sungai Petani (102) and Putrajaya and Kota Tinggi, Johor (both 101).
Twenty-two areas recorded moderate readings, among them being Kampung Air Putih, Taiping (100), followed by Alor Setar, Kedah (99) and Petaling Jaya, Selangor (98).
An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy and above 300, hazardous.
Members of the public can refer to the DOE portal at apims.doe.gov.my for the latest API reading.
Fish supply is sufficient
C. PREMANANTHINI New Straits Times 6 Oct 15;
KUALA SELANGOR: No fishermen in Selangor have been affected by haze. For now, fishing activities are going on as usual.
The Department of Fisheries, Putrajaya, Development and Technology Transfer Division director Sufian Sulaiman said if the haze continues to worsen and no improvement in the air quality, they have been advised to not go out to sea.
Sufian said so far, the fish supply in the country is sufficient and no news about increasing in fish prices.
"The increase in fish prices depends on the supply and demand of the consumers and traders. Normally, this sort of situation occurs during the monsoon season.
"However, we have told them if they (fishermen) finds the visibility is poor then they don't have to go out to the sea," he said at a press conference after the launched of Sukarelawan Perikanan Negeri Selangor (SUPER) at De Palma Hotel Kuala Selangor, here, today.
At the event, he said, the department targets to have more than 5,000 members or volunteers of SUPER in the country this year, to monitor and disseminate information on the invasion of foreign fishermen illegally fishing at our Malaysian waters.
SUPER was launched in June last year.
Currently, the department has received about 4,144 fishermen has registered as volunteers.
"In Malaysia, there are 24,000 fishermen. We hope to reach our goal before this year ends.
"In Selangor, we are targeting about 450 members to sign in and so far, about 233 fishermen have signed to be part of SUPER. This squad (SUPER) is not just for volunteering at sea but also to offer help for any kind of situation. For example, help to finding and relocating floods victims and much more," he said, adding that each member will undergo a training to ensure that these volunteers stay fit and strong, physically.
Besides, monitoring the fishing activities, he said the volunteers will also help to conserve the fishery resources and ecosystems, including being a liaison among the fishing communities.
He said the department had also collaborated with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and since the launched of the squad the volunteers have been a good eyes and ears for the agency.
The programme was launched in August last year.
