YOURSAY | ‘Haze is a decades-old problem which was never properly addressed by Indonesian and M’sian gov’ts.’

Resign for failing to tackle environmental issues, Yeo told

Newday: Again and again, we see these irrational demands for a minister to resign based on the flimsiest reasons. In this case, because the minister marries a certain individual.

Resign over the haze? Where does 95 percent of this haze originate from, former Pulau Betong assemblyperson Muhammad Farid Saad? Indonesia. Which country is Yeo Bee Yin an environment minister of? Malaysia.

Has she let her opinion and that of her ministry on this matter be known? Yes. What do you expect her to do? Fly over to Indonesia herself and huff and puff the fires out?

Did you demand the same of the environment minister regarding haze issues under the then BN government? Of course, you said nothing.

There is so much toxic smoke coming out of the ears, eyes, nose and bottom of Umno members these days, that it is a wonder the Environment Department has not issued a haze abatement notice on Umno headquarters.

You are nothing but a bunch of irresponsible pyromaniacs bent on destruction.

Anonymous 1623548272: Farid was an elected representative for almost 15 years.

I don’t remember him asking the BN environment minister to step down when we were hit by haze time and again while he was part of the then ruling coalition.

Anonymous 54: Yes, we had faced haze multiple times over the past years but I do not recall Umno demanding the resignation of the minister in charge.

If BN had acted then, maybe we would have been spared the current haze.

Vgeorgemy: We must commend the bravery of former Pulau Betong assemblyperson Farid in calling for the resignation of a minister married to the CEO of IOI’s property division (not the plantation side).

Farid’s bravery has nothing to do with concern over the haze, but vengeance. If he had any fears for the well-being of the population, he should have acted bravely in previous years while BN was in power.

Does the former assemblyperson call for the confiscation of all the assets of the company involved in the fire that caused haze? If he does, can he come forward and demand such action?

One Day At A Time: Farid, you are firing your gun at the wrong person and trying to blame her.

If only the BN government and our neighbouring country were to make sure that no peat or wetlands could be cultivated on a large scale long ago, resulting in precious water being drained or dried out during the dry season, such annual severe haze problems would not have occurred.

LoveMalaysia2: Why attack Yeo when it is Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok who is the spokesperson and advocate for the palm oil giants?

Yeo has been tireless in tracking down illegal plastic factories. She can only work with Malaysian companies and the haze is transboundary.

Pegasus: Don’t just shoot your mouth off and make absurd accusations. If you think you can do a better job, then why don’t you offer some workable solutions to the minister?

That would have been more helpful than asking her to resign. She has done well and she is dedicated to finding a long-term solution to the haze problem.

Myviews: Haze - a decades-old problem which was never properly addressed by the Indonesian and Malaysian governments.

Likewise, the Sungai Kim Kim problem was there for years until it boiled over. So, Farid, why no complaints from you during the BN administration?

Why no calls from you over the resignation of the then minister? Are you now trying to score some media exposure points to look relevant?

MalaysianMalaysian: Farid, where were you when we were choked by the haze in the past few years?

Even school students have had to suffer because the government would not close schools. The Air Pollutant Index readings were undependable then.

Presently, the situation is not ideal, but the ministry and minister are doing a lot more than what the past government did.

Please learn to be a better opposition instead of always asking ministers to resign.

Indonesia gets tough on firestarters, 230 arrested

Mohd Isnin: Don't worry, next year another 230 people will start more fires.

We're stuck with the Indonesians who are clueless about how to manage their country. This has been going on since the late 90s, year in and year out. There has been no effort to solve this problem.

Pokok Kelapa: If I remember, Asean had some agreement on all these issues way back in 2005. What happened? Asean is all about photo shoots and dinners. Nothing concrete comes out of this regional body.

It will be back to square one next year. The small guy will be behind bars. The huge companies will pay the fines.

The people will continue to suffer and the anti-palm-oil group will have even stronger points to support the boycott. In the end, we are all going to choke to death one day.

Kawak: All these devastating problems arise from economic profits by huge conglomerates and individuals alike. They reap profits at the expense of millions of humans across Southeast Asia. This is madness.

My2cen: People are exasperated - we are subjected to this horrendous man-made disaster every year. Lives matter, human and animals alike. Governments must act against greedy business owners.

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