The Star 27 Oct 15;
CYBERJAYA: Malaysia wants to send even more help to Indonesia to fight the republic’s forest fires.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said he would be meeting officials from the Indonesian government today in Jakarta to see what assistance they required.
“We have already sent an aircraft to Indonesia to help extinguish the forest fires, and the Indonesian government told us it had helped a bit.
“But as we only have one such aircraft that could load water to put out the fires, the plane needs to be returned to Malaysia to undergo maintenance and service.
“In the meantime, we would like to see what other sort of assistance we can provide. We are willing to send more, including our own firemen,” said Dr Wan Junaidi to reporters on the sidelines of a luncheon with Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) board members here.
Winds from the north-east coming here since Sunday are expected to clear the skies over Malaysia from now on.
Malaysia ready to help Indonesia battle more fire
AZURA ABAS New Straits Times 26 Oct 15;
CYBERJAYA: Malaysia will discuss with Indonesia tomorrow on what more can be done to address the current haze situation.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said he would leave for Indonesia tomorrow to hold a meeting with his counterpart in Jakarta.
"Malaysia is ready to continue helping Indonesia in battling the fire that raze some 1.7 million hectare swath of land as what has been reported two days ago," he told reporters after meeting the Malaysia Forestry Development and Research Board Members Session 2015-2017 today.
Also present was Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) director-general Datuk Dr Abd Latif Mohmod.
Wan Junaidi added Malaysia would resend its Bombardier CL 415 MP aircraft after its maintenance. The aircraft is capable to collect about 6,000 litres of water enough to put out fires the size of football field each round.
He had also instructed the ministry's legal team to look into amending the existing laws so that FRIM could set up its own company and commercialise its findings.
Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/10/malaysia-ready-help-indonesia-battle-more-fire
Improvement in air quality nationwide
The Star 26 Oct 15;
KUALA LUMPUR: Air quality nationwide has improved as of 9am Monday with only Pasir Gudang, Johor recording an air pollutant index (API) reading of 105 (unhealthy).
The Department of Environment in its portal stated that 33 areas recorded moderate API readings including Larkin Lama and Port Klang (85); Kota Tinggi (84); Shah Alam (75); Banting and Bandaraya Malacca (74); Samarahan (73); Bukit Rambai (72); Batu Muda Kuala Lumpur (71); and Putrajaya (70).
Meanwhile, 15 other areas recorded good API readings.
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 access apims.doe.gov.my for updates. - Bernama
