Najib: Indonesia must act against culprits causing haze

- Bernama

MILAN: The Indonesian government needs to take action against parties causing the haze problem which has not only affected the air quality of Malaysia, but its economy as well, says Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (pic).

The Prime Minister said only Indonesia could take action against them to ensure and prove if the haze was due to irresponsible plantation companies carrying out open burning or due to the effects of weather changes.

"They are operating there, we want Indonesia to take action. Summoning them is one thing, but proving they conducted such acts is another matter.

"Only Indonesia alone can gather evidence and convict the companies concerned.

"It should also be determined if the cause of the fires are deliberate or due to weather conditions," he said when asked on the worsening haze situation. 

He told this to Malaysian journalists before leaving for home after a three-day working visit to Milan since Friday. Najib said the solution to the haze problem needed the close cooperation of Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore to formulate more effective measures.

"It will take into consideration the agreement signed by the three countries to combat haze.

"Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia are still working on interpreting the agreement into a suitable form of action to ensure the situation does not recur," he said. - Bernama