NRES ready to assist in tackling transboundary haze, says deputy minister

KUALA LUMPUR – The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) is ready to provide technical expertise to help tackle the transboundary haze from Indonesian wildfires but is awaiting the green light to assist relevant agencies.

Deputy Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the ministry wanted to play an active role in addressing the issue, stressing the importance of cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia through diplomatic engagements and discussions between their respective ministries.

“We want to ensure that NRES is involved and plays its role in addressing this matter,” he told Sinar Daily at Parliament today.

Syed Ibrahim said the issue was being addressed at the highest diplomatic level, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim engaging Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, followed by discussions involving the two countries’ deputy prime ministers and foreign ministers.

He added that NRES ministers were also engaging with their Indonesian counterparts.

“Our ministers from NRES are also involved in these engagements with their Indonesian counterparts and we believe that all parties are taking this matter seriously.

“We are ready to provide assistance as soon as possible and are currently waiting for the green light to work alongside the relevant agencies by providing expert information,” he said.

On Oct 8, Anwar said he had spoken directly with Prabowo, who agreed to take the necessary steps to address the haze affecting Malaysia.

Anwar also directed Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and NRES Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup to strengthen cooperation with their Indonesian counterparts.

He further asked the Asean Secretariat to coordinate a meeting of environment ministers to discuss the issue.

Meanwhile, 37 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 5pm today.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) attributed the transboundary haze to 238 hotspots detected in Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia, as well as four hotspots in Sabah and Sarawak.