Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA) \u2014 Malaysia will continue to use diplomatic\nchannels and ASEAN mechanisms to address the transboundary haze problem\nwith Indonesia gradually, prioritising the interests and health of the\npublic without affecting bilateral relations.<\/p>\n
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan made the statement in\nRembau, Malaysia, on Thursday, as reported by BERNAMA.<\/p>\n
He said direct discussions between leaders and the use of regional\nchannels were the main approaches to handling sensitive issues involving\nneighbouring countries, rather than law enforcement action or the\ndelivery of diplomatic notes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have not reached that point. It is easy to talk about law\nenforcement, but if we take such action, it means we are prepared to\nsever relations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have not reached that stage, and sending a diplomatic note is not\nnecessary. A diplomatic note is a last resort,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Mohamad Hasan stressed that this position did not mean Malaysia would\nremain silent on the ongoing haze issue. Instead, the government was\nusing more comprehensive mechanisms to find a joint solution at the\nregional level.<\/p>\n
He said Malaysia was also willing to help Indonesia tackle the fires\ncausing the haze, but efforts faced various obstacles, particularly\naccess to fire sites in remote parts of Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur helicopters also cannot operate because the haze is too thick\nand conditions are dangerous for any flight. Visibility is less than 50\nmetres, making flying extremely dangerous,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In a related development, Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia would submit a\nnon-paper at the upcoming ASEAN senior officials\u2019 and foreign ministers\u2019\nmeetings as part of efforts to strengthen regional mechanisms for\naddressing transboundary haze.<\/p>\n
The move also aims to create an opportunity for the haze issue to be\ndiscussed within the framework of natural disasters, while giving ASEAN\nscope to strengthen regional cooperation.<\/p>\n
Media have previously reported that Malaysia would raise the\ntransboundary haze issue at an ASEAN foreign ministers\u2019 meeting ahead of\nthe 49th ASEAN Summit in Manila, the Philippines, next month, to discuss\nmore effective regional mechanisms for dealing with the problem.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/malaysia-to-continue-using-diplomatic-channels-over-haze-1792083113", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }