Ang calls for action against serious air pollution

KUCHING: The health and welfare of the people must never be compromised on the altar of industry and development, motor vehicles, large scale plantation land clearing or open burning and forest fires whether from internal or external sources.

Prominent social activist Dato Sri Ang Lai Soon, who said this, pointed out that financial considerations should not be allowed to take precedence over the well-being of the people.

That price is just too high, he added.

In a statement yesterday, Ang said it was rather alarming that in the year 2014, the public should still see a headline in a national newspaper on March 10, stating six areas in Malaysia record unhealthy air pollution index readings.

He said surely by now, positive action should have been taken by the authorities to bring this under control to fulfill their duty of caring for the health of the citizens.

Ang noted the Department of Environment had listed the main sources of air pollution in Malaysia as industries, development activities, motor vehicles, land clearing, open burning and forest fires.

He said since all could be controlled through legislation and enforcing strict adherence to that legislation, the quality of life of all citizens should, therefore, never be compromised in the interests of industry, development and other pollution-causing activities.

He believed a certain BMZ, a German concern, was commissioned to study Air pollution control for Malaysian cities: transport and industry from 2002 to 2006.

The context of this commission read Malaysias developments into a modern and sustainably managed industrial country requires a modern comprehensive environmental policy, including air pollution control.

However, he observed that with the recent headlines, it was patently obvious policy needed urgent bringing up to date with present day realities without prevarication.

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Ang calls for action against serious air pollution