Calls grow to name and shame haze makers

Calls have emerged for action to be taken against culprits behind the worst ever air pollution crisis in the country following worsening haze condition in the Klang Valley and surrounding areas.

PAS urged Environment minister G. Palanivel to expose the Malaysian companies which Indonesia earlier said were culprits behind the current crisis.

The party's environment bureau chief Zulkefly Mohamad Omar argued that the move could force drastic actions to be taken by all stakeholders to stop the crisis for the sake of public health.

Zulkefly said the people’s health and security should remain top priority for Palanivel.

Earlier, DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng hit out at Palanivel for showing more concerns on a pair of Pandas from China due to arrive in Malaysia, when he appeared at a signing ceremony on the matter even as millions of Johoreans struggled with haze.

Last weekend, Indonesian Environment minister Balthasar Kambuaya named 8 Malaysian companies as responsible for forest burning in Riau and Jambi.

The eight are PT Langgam Inti Hiberida, PT Bumi Rakksa Sejati, PT Tunggal Mitra Plantation, PT Udaya Loh Dinawi, PT Adei Plantation, PT Jatim Jaya Perkasa, PT Multi Gambut Industri and PT Mustika Agro Lestari.

In an immediate response, Health minister S Subramanian said Indonesian authorities should take swift action against the haze culprits.

"I urge Indonesian authorities to take swift action, even against Malaysian companies who are responsible. It is not a natural disaster but it is a man made disaster caused by irresponsible people," Malaysiakini quoted him as saying. -HD