Sarawak Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah says transboundary haze should be addressed through ASEAN discussions to find solutions and reduce its impact on the state.
KUCHING: The transboundary haze issue in Sarawak needs to continue being discussed at the ASEAN level through the Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution to find the best solutions to minimise its impact.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, which represents Malaysia in the committee, would put forward proposals to address the issue.
“We need to be cautious because areas such as Kuala Baram, if affected by forest fires, could cause smoke to drift and affect Brunei. Therefore, related matters will be discussed at the committee before being referred to the relevant ministries.
“The ministry will bring forward the issues and challenges we face and seek solutions to reduce their impact,” he told reporters after the State-Level Handicraft Competition prize presentation here today.
Uggah, who is also Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) chairman, said the state had submitted an application for a cloud seeding operation and was assessing the most suitable timing for its implementation.
Yesterday, Uggah said cloud seeding was being considered to address prolonged hot and dry weather conditions, which could affect water supply sources and worsen haze conditions in several areas.
Transboundary haze has affected several areas in Sarawak since Aug 8 due to prevailing wind patterns carrying smoke from hotspots in neighbouring regions into the state.
Areas recording Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at the very unhealthy level were Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Bintulu, Samalaju and Miri.
