Complaints from the Public on Hazy and Smoky Air

Here are two opinions / views from the public which were published by The Star on 19th and 21st February 2008. For those of you who would like to voice your opinions, you can email to editor@thestar.com.my. The email must carry the sender's full name, address and telephone number. A pseudonym may be included.


The Right To Clean Smoke-Free Air (by SAW,Shah Alam, Selangor)
Without fail, from two to three times a year, residents along Kesas Highway between Shah Alam and Klang face smoke from fires in nearby estates and farms. The authority concerned seems to be closing an eye, and both their ears and noses as well. Don't we have the right as citizens and taxpayers for clean, fresh and smoke-free air when we sleep?

Why must we wait for the haze to affect Putrajaya before the authorities send a few ministries to Indonesia for a chat? It's our farmers/landowners who are responsible for this yearly “season”.


Do Something About Open Burning (by CPT, Shah Alam, Selangor)
This is my third letter about the open burning and critical smoke condition in Kota Kemuning and its surrounding areas. Since last week until now, the condition has been very bad. Open burning happens every day, and it seriously affects the quality of air. It’s so bad that I even have sore throat and breathing difficulties. Those who frequent the Kesas Highway will understand what I mean.

A Department of Environment (DOE) staff told me that the burning started seven years ago.
I made numerous calls to the DOE whenever the situation turned unbearable and the answers given were the same: ‘tanah gambut’, hard to track the owners.

To me, those are excuses more than solutions. What amazes me is when the smoke is coming from Indonesia, we quickly send our firemen there. And some ministers will try to impress the people by giving suggestions on how to solve the problem. But when it happens right on our very own shores, nothing seems to be done. When you call the DOE, they give you nothing but excuses.

I truly believe that if the authorities put their hearts into this problem, a permanent solution can be found. I hope the new Cabinet will step in and solve this seven-year old problem.