MIRI – There are at least 2,203 huge forest fires raging over the past two weeks in Kalimantan, the Indonesian province on Borneo Island, resulting in transboundary haze into southern Sarawak and parts of Peninsular Malaysia.
In view of this, Sarawak Energy and Environmental Sustainability Deputy Minister Hazland Abang Hipni called on Putrajaya to convene an emergency meeting with Indonesia and the rest of Asean member countries on this issue.
Speaking after attending an event in Kuching, Hazland said southern Sarawak districts had been repeatedly covered by haze.
“The haze is from Kalimantan, based on official data and satellite images from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre based in Singapore.
“The haze affecting Sarawak and parts of Peninsular Malaysia are not from local sources in Sarawak.
“Official data from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre showed there are 2,203 big hotspots in Kalimantan since September 20.
“Sarawak had four hotspots, but then we banned all permits for open burning in plantations.
“The main source of the haze is from Indonesia now, with many hotspots in their Kalimantan region.
“We urge the federal government in Putrajaya to convene an emergency meeting with Indonesia immediately and with other Asean countries before the transboundary haze worsens.”
Hazland said the districts hit hardest by haze in the past month or so are Sri Aman, Serian and Kuching.
Sri Aman and Serian are adjacent to Kalimantan. – The Vibes, October 4, 2023
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