KUALA LUMPUR: The government will not protect Malaysian companies operating overseas which are responsible for large-scale fires resulting in transboundary haze.
Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said it has also written notices to these Malaysian companies in neighbouring countries to take necessary steps to ensure its farms do not get involved in open burning.
"The government's stance is clear. If there are companies responsible for flouting the law in other countries, Malaysia will not defend them from legal actions if they face action from that respective country," he said in a live broadcast session aired on Astro Awani earlier today.
He said if it was found that neighbouring countries were responsible for transboundary haze, the Malaysian government will use diplomatic avenues and Asean platforms to air Malaysia's concern over such incidents.
When speaking about the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP), he said there could be reasons to revisit the agreement in order to improve it and further provide protection from the haze situation.
"This is something that can be discussed further with the Foreign Ministry."
When asked again if the pollution was not caused by sources in Malaysia, he replied in the affirmative because data backed by the ministry showed this.
He said the haze situation, although improving, could well prolong up to the next two weeks.
As of 7pm today, only Cheras in Kuala Lumpur and Nilai in Negeri Sembilan recorded an unhealthy level (yellow alert) in Air Pollution Index (API) readings at 153 and 154 respectively.
These are the only two areas where the API reading was recorded over 150 for the last 24 hours.