Govt complains to Indonesia over rise in hotspots

PETALING JAYA: The Government has written formally to Indonesia to express concerns over the increase in hotspots in south Sumatra and Kalimantan that had led to haze over Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel said the Department of Environment director-general had written to his Indonesian counterpart on Sept 15.

“Malaysia has urged Indonesian authorities to carry out preventive measures and extinguish fires, which have resulted in trans-boundary haze,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

According to the Singapore-based Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), some 18 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan on Friday and 44 in Sumatra.

However, the actual number of hotspots could not be determined due to thick cloud cover. The satellite imagery also showed a ring of haze in central Kalimantan.

Palanivel said there were also nine hotspots in the country – one each in Kedah, Johor and Sabah, two in Terengganu and four in Pahang.

“These hotspots will be investigated and action will be taken by the authorities against those responsible,” he said.

He pointed out that the ban on open burning remained in effect, adding that local authorities had taken action against those found to have defied the restrictions.

To date, he said, 4,705 cases of open burning had been detected throughout the country this year, and that 389 compounds along with 119 warnings were issued.

Investigation papers, added Palanivel, had also been prepared for 47 cases while 14 cases were pending in the Sessions Courts.