Indonesian govt has revoked concessions for 20 plantations to stop haze: Wan Junaidi
CHUAH BEE KIM New Straits Times 4 Feb 16;
JOHOR BARU: The Indonesian government has revoked concessions for 20 plantations in the republic to reduce slash and burn activities that could cause haze in the future.
Malaysia's Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said this was among three efforts conducted by the Indonesian government to tackle burning activities that has led to transboundary haze in the past.
The other two efforts were Indonesia's bid to buy three Bombardier helicopters for cloud seeding, and to improve drainage systems at plantations where there were fires that caused the haze.
"I had a meeting with two senior high ranking Indonesian officials there recently.
"They told me the government has taken back 20 concessions for plantations," he said in a working visit to Johor today.
He said his Indonesian counterparts had given the assurance that Indonesia had taken pro-active initiatives to curb open burning, which will prevent the haze from returning.
On another matter, Wan Junaidi said he was impressed with the upcoming Forest City project which consists of man-made islands off Johor's coast as it was a benchmark development that would put Malaysia on the international map.
Indonesia pledges no repeat of haze crisis
ZAZALI MUSA The Star 4 Feb 16;
JOHOR BARU: The Indonesian authorities have given their assurance to their Malaysian counterparts that they will take proactive measures to prevent the haze from recurring this year.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said if the haze happens again this year, the effects would be less severe than last year.
This was because measures taken by the relevant authorities in Indonesia included improving the irrigation system in oil palm plantations and cancelling the concession of 20 oil palm companies.
He said this in a press conference after paying a courtesy call on Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin here on Thursday.
"The Indonesian government will also acquire three Bombardier planes to be used to fight forest fires," said Dr Wan Junaidi.
He said the decision to buy the planes was made after Indonesia found that it was more effective in putting out forest fires.
