SERI ISKANDAR: The Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Ministry is in the midst of drawing up a new law to hold Malaysian companies and individuals accountable for causing pollution in foreign countries.
Its minister Yeo Bee Yin said a policy for the Cross Border Pollution Act is being prepared and would be presented to the cabinet for approval.
“Once approved, a draft will be prepared. It usually takes months, sometimes years to bring a new law into effect. The ministry has contacted the Attorney General’s Chambers on the urgency of the matter.
“The law will enable the government to take action against Malaysian companies or individuals who commit haze- or pollution-related offences outside the country,” she told reporters after launching the Science, Engineering Technology and Mathematic (STEM) Exploration Centre at Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) here today. Also present was UTP vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib.
Commenting on the haze issue, Yeo said her ministry believed the situation would improve by end of this week, based on the report by the Malaysia Meteorological Department.
“With the monsoon transition, we will experience thunderstorms and showers nationwide, bringing a much needed respite from the haze,” she added.
On a related issue, Yeo said the Indonesian government have yet to respond to offers from Malaysia and Singapore to handle the haze crisis.
To a call by MCA for her resignation following allegations that her husband owns an oil palm plantation company in Indonesia that was responsible for the haze in the republic, Yeo said if it was found to be true, it was best for the Indonesian authority to take action.
“I believe the Indonesian government, upon completing their investigation, can take legal action on those found responsible, according to their laws.
“As a Malaysian minister, I hope the opposition will be able to give better suggestions to help us handle this issue (haze) more effectively in future. This is not a new issue. It has been going on for many years. I welcome any constructive suggestions, whether from th
