On calls for Malaysian companies operating in Indonesia to be held accountable if they were found responsible for activities contributing to the haze, Fahmi said the matter should be referred to NRES and the Plantation and Commodities Ministry.
PETALING JAYA: Indonesia has yet to approve Malaysia’s offer to deploy assets to help combat fires and haze in the neighbouring country, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said.
Fahmi said the matter had been discussed at Cabinet level, with the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) and Wisma Putra informing the Cabinet that a list of Malaysian assets available to assist Indonesia had been submitted.
“However, until now, there has been no confirmation on the form of cooperation or approval to use Malaysian assets to help put out the fires and so on,” he said at his weekly press conference.
Fahmi said Malaysia had conveyed its offer through diplomatic channels, including the Malaysian Embassy, Wisma Putra and NRES.
“So far, we have extended the offer through the embassy and Wisma Putra, while NRES has also made the necessary preparations. But there has yet to be confirmation or permission to use Malaysian assets,” he said.
On calls for Malaysian companies operating in Indonesia to be held accountable if they were found responsible for activities contributing to the haze, Fahmi said the matter should be referred to NRES and the Plantation and Commodities Ministry.
He said action could potentially be taken under Malaysian laws if the relevant circumstances allowed for it, although the matter required further clarification from the agencies concerned.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said Malaysia Day celebrations in Kuching on Sept 16 would proceed as planned at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), an indoor venue.
He said more than 5,000 people were expected to attend the celebrations, adding that several programmes originally planned at outdoor locations in Sarawak would be adjusted according to prevailing conditions.
“For example, in Kuching, the Malaysia Day exhibition will be held at Plaza Merdeka, indoors, so that the public can view the exhibition without having to remain outside for long periods,” he said.
Fahmi said the government was also monitoring the haze situation in Sarawak, which had shown some improvement, although conditions remained dependent on weather patterns, hotspots and open burning, particularly in neighbouring countries.
He also advised the public to avoid prolonged exposure to areas affected by haze.
The next weekly Communications Ministry press conference will be held after Friday prayers next week, as Wednesday is a public holiday for Malaysia Day.
