Parliament: MCA calls for Haze Taskforce

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has called for a bipartisan Haze Taskforce comprising MPs from both sides, Department of Environment officials, and NGO representatives.

"This haze is an environmental disaster," he said on Wednesday, exhorting the Malaysian government to work together in seeking a solution.

"The first step, however, is for Indonesia to ratify the Asean agreement on Trans-boundary haze pollution.

“The Malaysian government must continue to persuade Indonesia to sign the agreement and Indonesia has to be a responsible neighbour and act in the Asean spirit.

"The taskforce will work with its Indonesian counterparts to go down to the ground and establish the source and parties involved in slash and burn practices that go against treaties and local laws," he told reporters during a press conference from the sidelines of Parliament.

However, he said, the taskforce could not be set up until the ratification was done by Indonesia.

MCA Youth Chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong concurred, adding that the Malaysian government needed an emergency response plan for the haze.

"We have to form a new mechanism when engaging in discussions with the Indonesian government.

"Regardless of where the company is from, it should be charged for open burning," he told reporters at the same PC.

Source: Parliament: MCA calls for Haze Taskforce

Not long after my post on MCA, this piece of news came to my attention.

You've really got to give it to them. Haze Taskforce? Is that the best you can offer?

There's a saying, "Talking without saying anything".  

First, they admit it's an environmental disaster. Then they beat around the bush with nonsensical suggestions such as "taskforce", "persuade Indonesia", "go down to the ground", "engaging with discussions". And they expect the people to take them seriously? Really?

Stop insulting the people's intelligence, please. If you have nothing to say, just keep quiet. Don't make half-hearted statements like these.

If you have something to say, say it like you mean it. 

We are living with this:

KLCC? Where?

All 3 affected countries have relevant laws in place, have relevant agencies with ministers to oversee. Just enforce it! Is that too difficult? Not one of these countries have addressed the real solution.

To prevent a crime, there must be enforcement.