NGO submits memo on haze
> Urges Indonesia to take proactive measures to deal with the problem
KUALA LUMPUR: Nongovernmental organisation Nambikkai submitted a memorandum to the Indonesian Embassy yesterday, demanding that the Indonesian government take proactive measures to tackle the haze problem.
Its president Kalai Vanar, who handed over the memorandum to an embassy representative, said the Indonesian government must take measures to effectively manage the haze situation.
“Despite knowing that the haze problem has been happening for many years now, the Indonesian government has yet to do anything concrete to address this issue.
“To make matters worse, we Malaysians have to endure problems like school closures several times this year due to the very unhealthy level of air quality, and an increase in health-related issues,” Kalai told reporters before submitting the memorandum yesterday.
He also urged the Indonesian government to take into consideration Principle 21 of the Stockholm Declaration 1972 which says that “States may exploit their resources as they wish but must not endanger others”.
“If Indonesia takes into consideration the plight, suffering as well as the welfare of other people, then it is important for them to act soon to address this issue,” he said.