THE Asean Secretariat website states that governments of member countries signed an agreement on transboundary haze pollution in 2002 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which came into force in 2003.
It said the 10 member countries had ratified the agreement.
The website said the agreement was the first regional arrangement in the world that binds a group of contiguous states to tackle transboundary haze pollution resulting from land and forest fires.
It was considered a global role model for tackling transboundary issues.
It said the agreement required the parties to cooperate to prevent and mitigate transboundary haze by controlling land or forest fires.
Parties are expected to respond promptly to requests for information by a state affected by the haze.
Parties can take legal, administrative or other measures to implement obligations under the agreement.
The agreement established an Asean Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control to manage the impact of land and forest fires, in particular haze pollution arising from these fires.
I’m appalled by the haze affecting our country. Many people are falling sick from it.
Malaysia and Indonesia have been pointing fingers at each other. Does the agreement serve any purpose and did it prevent the haze?
What legal recourse can affected countries take against the country causing the haze?
Is the agreement a global role model for tackling transboundary issues?
I beg the Asean Secretariat and the government to enforce the agreement against the country causing this haze and take it to court. Enough of this haze. I’m fed up with the attitude of the country that has failed to prevent the haze yearly.
GUNASEGAR THIYAGARAJA
Batu Caves, Selangor