Update ACCCIM urges Malaysian Govt to be firm to Indonesia on haze issue

by **Cals** Wed 26 Jun 2013, 01:58

Update ACCCIM urges Malaysian Govt to be firm to Indonesia on haze issue

Business & Markets 2013

Written by Ho Wah Foon of theedgemalaysia.com

Tuesday, 25 June 2013 17:55

KUALA LUMPUR (June 25): The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) today urged the government to be firm towards Indonesia in tackling the serious haze issue.

In a late press statement, the influential business body also urged the Indonesian government to take stricter legal and enforcement action against PLANTATION [] companies that conduct slash-and-burn practices.

The national chamber, which represents all Chinese businesses in Malaysia, stated that the worsening haze situation caused by open burning in Indonesia has brought about adverse impact to Malaysia’s economic activities and social life.

“The Malaysian government must take a firm stand and pursue the matter harder with the Indonesian government in order to resolve this problem once and for all,” said ACCCIM in its statement.

“It is the responsibility of the Indonesian government to take legal action and enforcement to prosecute the irresponsible parties or companies that continue with the slash-and-burn practices as the impact of the annual haze problem is immense both economically and socially,” the chamber added.

The ACCCIM stated it has written a letter the Ambassador of Indonesia to Malaysia and the Natural Resources and Environment of Malaysia, urging both governments to “take immediate and concrete action to resolve the haze problem once and for all”.

The haze problem caused by slash-and-burn practices in Indonesia has been happening every year since 1997 and the situation has worsen this year with the Air Pollutant Index (API) in many Malaysian states entering hazardous and very unhealthy scales, it noted.

“Incalculable damage is being done in terms of the impact on the economy -- particularly tourism revenue and productivity, environment, health and other knock-on effects,” it said.

The ACCCIM noted that though ASEAN member countries have signed the ASEAN Agreement on Trans-Boundary Haze Pollution in year 2002, Indonesia has yet to ratify the agreement.

“The haze problem has persisted and has become an annual problem. The Indonesian government should take stricter legal and enforcement action against plantation companies that conduct slash-and-burn practices.

“For traditional communities in Sumatra and Riau involved in the act, the Indonesian government should educate them on why their activities are harmful, and develop alternative land clearing methods for them.”

ACCCIM also expressed its regret on the statement made by Indonesia’s Minister of Environment and Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources that Malaysia and Singapore should not be complaining as the slash-and-burn are practiced by companies whose shareholders are Malaysians and Singaporeans.

“As ASEAN’s largest member country, the government of Indonesia should find a long term solution on this problem that will bring lasting results,” ACCCIM said.