Haze Becomes Main Agenda for ASEAN
Tuesday, 19 December, 2006 | 17:55 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Putrajaya: Haze problems has become a significant agenda at the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) level.

Previously, the ASEAN ministerial meeting in the Philippines had discussed several steps: both short-term and long-term steps.

Some agreements were made, including provision of funds and assistance as regards fire fighters.

“At the meeting, each country set out its ideas for handling haze. And ASEAN asked that all member countries returned home to prepare a working frame to be discussed in the next meeting,” said Malaysian Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid when Tempo met him on Tuesday (12/19).

According to Azmi, the main source of haze was Sumatra and Kalimantan, and was caused by massive forest clearing.

“I am not sure that it was the impact of traditional forest fires. Traditional forest clearing has long been carried out. But there has never been such a large amount of haze,” he said.

Azmi said that haze was a serious matter and ASEAN was required to prioritize it.

ASEAN member countries have agreed to hold regular three-monthly ministerial meetings.

T.H. Salengke, Tempo