Indonesian Parliament To Ratify Asean Haze Agreement

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- The Indonesia Parliament agreed to ratify the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, 12 years after signing it, the Dewan Rakyat (Lower House of Parliament) was told Tuesday. Natural Resources and Environment Deputy Minister Dr James Dawos Mamit said Indonesia made the decision on Sept 16, following discussions among Asean member states including Malaysia for it to expedite the process. "The Indonesian Parliament's assent to ratify the agreement is a positive outcome much looked forward to. "It showed Indonesia's earnestness to resolve the dilemma comprehensively and effectively," he said during the question and answer session in parliament Tuesday. He was responding to Liang Teck Meng (BN-Simpang Renggam) who wanted to know the outcome of Malaysia and Indonesia's discussions on resolving the perennial problem faced by both countries. Meanwhile, Dawos said the Malaysian and Indonesian governments were working to draw up a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) to bilaterally tackle the dilemma. The MoU would enable both countries to formally share their experience, expertise and information, he added. -- BERNAMA