DAP flays gov't for 'prioritising pandas over haze'

Natural Resource and Environment G Palanivel has come under fire from DAP for apparently prioritising pandas that were due to be delivered from China over the haze crisis.

"His (Palanivel's) statement in the newspapers today was not about the haze but about building a special building for the pandas and how they can be delivered sooner.

"This does not make sense, we are in a haze crisis, but he's talking about pandas. If the haze is not resolve China would not even let the pandas come," said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng at the opening of the Pakatan Rakyat leadership convention in Ampang this afternoon.

Lim also called for an emergency to be declared following the worsening haze condition in Johor, which coincidentally declared by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak mid-speech.

Speaking at a joint Pakatan press conference later, Lim noted the declaration but stressed that more should have been done.

Adding on, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim said this would be Pakatan's first priority when Parliament convenes.

"This will be our major first move in Parliament," he said.

He said the cabinet committee must immediately convene a meeting to address the problem.

[More to follow]