Govt drawing up cross-border pollution law
The Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Ministry is drawing up a new law to hold companies and individuals accountable for causing pollution in foreign countries.
Its minister, Yeo Bee Yin, said a policy for the Cross-Border Pollution Act was being prepared and would be presented to the cabinet for approval.
“Once approved, a draft will be prepared. It usually takes months, sometimes years, to bring a new law into effect. The ministry has conveyed the urgency of the matter to the AttorneyGeneral’s Chambers.
“The law will enable the government to take action against Malaysian companies or individuals who commit haze- or pollution-related offences outside the country.”
Yeo said this after launching the Science, Engineering Technology and Mathematic Exploration Centre at Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) here yesterday.
Present was UTP Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib.
Commenting on the haze issue, Yeo said her ministry believed the situation would improve by end of this week, based on the report by the Malaysian Meteorological Department.
“With the monsoon transition, we will experience thunderstorms and showers nationwide, bringing a much-needed respite from the haze.”
Yeo said the Indonesian government had yet to respond to offers from Malaysia and Singapore to handle the haze crisis.
To a call by MCA for her resignation following allegations that her husband owns an oil palm plantation company in Indonesia that was responsible for the haze in the republic, Yeo said if it was found to be true, it was best for the Indonesian authorities to take action.
“I believe the Indonesian government, upon completing its investigation, can take legal action against those found responsible, according to their laws.
“As a minister, I hope the opposition will be able to give better suggestions to help us handle this issue (haze) more effectively in future.
“This is not a new issue, it has been going on for many years. I welcome any constructive suggestions, whether from the government or the opposition.”