The cost of nationwide cloud-seeding operations to clear the haze is shrouded in secrecy due to an apparent gag order over the figure, but it is estimated to run into at least RM2 million.

"We have been ordered not to disclose the cost," said Meteorological Department deputy director-general Che Gayah Ismail when contacted today.

"My boss (director-general Dr Yap Kok Seng) is abroad at the moment. There was one call (from the media) yesterday also to enquire about the cost but the instruction given (to us) was not to disclose the cost."

Che Gayah said any questions about the cost of the operations could be directed at Yap when he returns to work next week.

Elaborating, she said one reason for withholding the figure is that cloud-seeding operations have yet to be completed, particularly since the haze may be recurring.

Asked if the secrecy was due to the enormous cost, she replied: "I can't comment on that. Anything regarding the cost, I wouldn't be able to answer."

She sounded surprised when told that Sarawak deputy chief minister Dr George Chan had been quoted in yesterday's Star as revealing that each operation costs at least RM50,000.

Calculating the cost

According to a statement released to malaysiakini later, 40 cloud-seeding operations have been conducted over the past two weeks. The statement was from the department's weather modification division, which oversees the operations.

Based on Chan's disclosure, the operations in both the peninsula and Sarawak from Oct 3 to 16 would have cost the government RM2 million.

The statement said 21 cloud-seeding operations were carried out in Sarawak between Oct 3 and 16 from the Kuching air force base.

In the peninsula, seven operations were carried out from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Airport in Subang and 12 from the Bayan Lepas Airport in Penang between Oct 6 and 16.

Chan was reported as saying that the operations have burnt a hole in the Sarawak government's pocket as daily flights had to be made to search for rain clouds.

"Each trip costs at least RM50,000. Every day we have to conduct several trips to find rain-bearing clouds. If over the past 10 days, we had to fly twice a day, imagine the cost incurred," he said, although noting that the exercise has succeeded to some extent.

Malaysians have suffered from the choking haze caused by open burning to clear land each year in Kalimantan and Sumatra in neighbouring Indonesia.

Although Indonesia has outlawed land clearing by burning, weak enforcement means that the ban has largely been ignored.