Businessman wants to sue Indonesia for US$100mil over haze

SUNGAI PETANI: A businessman made a police report threatening to sue the Indonesian government for nearly half a billion ringgit over the worsening haze.

“If I win the case, I’ll donate the money to needy schools and charitable organisations,” said 52-year-old M. Guna­­se­karan.

The father of three from Taman Kempas here made the report at the Kepala Batas police station in Penang on Wednesday. The report has since gone viral.

When contacted by The Star, Gunasekaran said he was fed up with the worsening haze situation in the country.

He said the haze caused him and his family breathing difficulties.

“I am serious about my report as the haze has taken a toll on my children’s health as well as the public.

“I plan to take up the matter to the International Court of Justice and want to claim US$100mil (RM429mil) from the Indonesian government,” said Gunasekaran whose children are aged between 14 and 18.

He added if no action is taken, the haze, which has been happening every year, will recur next year.

“This matter cannot be taken lightly as thousands of children are affected by the closing of schools.

“If my story is fake, you can sue me, but everyone is affected by the haze, right?” he said.

North Seberang Perai OCPD Asst Comm Azmi Adam confirmed there was such a report.

“We do not stop the public from lodging any report.

“Since there are no criminal elements, we are not investigating the report and will let the complainant pursue his intention to sue the Indonesian government on his own accord,” he said.