MALAYSIA: Forest fire centre planned
Copyright 2001 The Star
October 21, 2001
KUCHING: A Forest Fires Research and Information Centre will be established soon as part of efforts to curb the haze problem in the region.
The centre, initiated by the Commonwealth Science Council, will cost about RM1.9mil. It would be located at the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia.
Datuk Dr Mohinder Singh, the council’s adviser said:“We hope to activate the centre immediately. A five-man working group has been set up to source financial support from the Asean Development Bank for the project.”The haze problem experienced by Malaysia and countries in the region has escalated over the last few years, with the worst record in 1997 when Sarawak recorded hazardous API index of above 700.
The centre, Dr Mohinder Singh said, was a follow-up initiative from the Asean meeting held in Brunei last year.
The working group was formed yesterday at the conclusion of a three-day Regional Conference on Natural Resources and Environmental Management here.
Science, Technology and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Law Hieng Ding closed the conference, attended by 200 participants.
Law lauded the setting up of the Forest Fires Information and Research Centre.
“There is no doubt that we are concerned with the effects of forest fires as we have seen in the past few years the hazards to health and environment caused by such fires,” he said.He said his ministry fully supported the initiative, as it would have far-reaching benefits not only to Malaysia but also the whole region.
Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on Thursday also commended the setting up of the centre, saying it would enhance regional efforts to tackle the haze problem.
“Managing natural re sources is not a problem for Sarawak. There is a bigger problem of haze that we cannot tackle on our own.“I am happy to note that the Commonwealth Science Council has initiated the setting up of Forest Fires Research and Information Centre,” he said.