KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii proposed today that Malaysia impose haze-related sanctions on Indonesia via trade tariffs, amid prolonged forest and land fires in the neighbouring country.
The Sarawakian lawmaker pointed out that the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in the state capital of Kuching reached 357 last September 1, followed by an emergency declaration in the district of Serian after its API reading surpassed 500 on September 4.
Haze affected air quality for 41 days in Sarawak until September 14. Under the API classification, readings of 201 to 300 are very unhealthy, whereas readings above 300 are classified as hazardous.
“Mr Speaker, the principle is simple: the polluter must pay,” said Dr Yii during a debate on an emergency motion on haze in the Dewan Rakyat’s Special Chambers today.
