Govt drops proposed law on transboundary haze

 

After the haze crisis in 2019, the then Pakatan Harapan government decided to look into tackling transboundary haze. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The government has decided against tabling a proposed law on transboundary haze which was aimed at punishing Malaysians whose actions led to haze in the country, regardless where the burning occurs.

The decision was made after consulting the attorney-general’s chambers and legal experts on the difficulties involved in carrying out prosecutions, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

“To enforce this law, there needs to be conclusive evidence that the haze originated from neighbouring countries, one that is supported by data such as a location map, coordinates, the information on the land owners and the site they are operating at, said environment minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

“Such matters involve secrecy, security and the sovereignty of a country,” he said in a written reply to Tan Hong Pin (PH-Bakri) who had asked about the status of the bill.

Nik Nazmi said it was difficult to obtain information on Malaysian companies operating outside the country as a majority of the stake in their ventures was held by residents of the host country.

“Transboundary haze cannot be resolved by simply enacting a law. There are many approaches that can be taken to prevent or reduce the intensity of the haze.

“We are currently drawing up strategies, initiatives, preventive measures and emphasising on diplomatic approaches to resolve this issue,” said Nik Nazmi, whose portfolio includes natural resources and climate change.

Last month, his predecessor, Yeo Bee Yin, reiterated her call for the bill to be introduced, urging the government to enact the stalled legislation. She said only Singapore among Asean countries had such a law, having enacted it in 2014.

She said after the haze crisis of 2019, the then Pakatan Harapan government had commissioned a study into the legal requirements involved in tackling cross-border pollution.

The Cabinet had agreed in principle to introduce the law, but progress was stalled by the subsequent governments after the Sheraton Move led to the collapse of the PH government. - FMT