Sarawak govt urged to take legal action against Indonesia over haze

Activist Peter John Jaban says the state should seek appropriate remedies for the damage caused to public health, the environment, the economy, and education, among others.

Activist Peter John Jaban said the state government should seek appropriate remedies through national, regional or international legal avenues, provided there was sufficient evidence to support such action.

“Sarawak must not remain a passive victim while its people continue to suffer preventable harm,” he said in a statement today.

Peter said the federal and Sarawak governments should also consider legal action against companies or other parties responsible for forest and land fires if there was sufficient evidence linking them to the haze.

He called for an independent assessment of the damage suffered by Sarawak, including the impact on public health, the environment, the economy, and education.

Such an assessment should be accompanied by efforts to secure compensation and other remedies for communities and sectors that could demonstrate losses from recurring haze.

Peter also urged Putrajaya to invoke mechanisms under the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution and formally raise Malaysia’s concerns with Indonesia.

He said both countries should establish a clear and accountable mechanism to prevent the haze from recurring.

His call comes as the Serian district council suggested that Indonesia compensate the Sarawak government for losses caused by the haze.

Its chairman, Peter Minos, said last month the haze had affected public health and the economy, citing health problems, school closures, and lost tourism revenue.

Minos later highlighted further losses as the haze worsened in Serian, including medical bills, cancelled events, and job disruptions.

Serian was under a state of emergency from Sept 4 to 7 because of hazardous haze conditions. Thick haze from forest fires in neighbouring Kalimantan had pushed the air pollutant index (API) past 500 in Serian, exceeding the hazardous threshold of 300.

Twenty-eight areas nationwide recorded “unhealthy ” API readings as of 3pm today. Serian and two other areas in Sarawak – Samarahan and Kuching – topped the list with readings of 174, 169 and 166, respectively.

Other areas in Sarawak with unhealthy API readings included Sri Aman (157), Bintulu (155) and Miri (153).