KL envoy asks RI to curb fires

KL envoy asks RI to curb fires

PEKANBARU, Riau: Malaysian consul here Zulkifli Yacob hopes
the Indonesian government will be able to prevent the spread of
forest and land fires to neighboring cities and countries,
including his nation.

A thick haze from forest fires in Indonesia enveloped Malaysia
and neighboring countries in 1997.

"Smoke is covering Pekanbaru and Dumai now. We hope that the
authorities will soon be able to handle these forest and land
fires and prevent them from creating further problems," Zulkifli
told Antara on Thursday.

Quoting officials in Malaysia, he said the smoke had reached
Malaka city in the western part of the Malaysian peninsula,
disrupting visibility, particularly at night.

Riau is located in the northeastern part of Sumatra, which is
adjacent to Malaysia.

Head of Riau's forestry and plantations office Darmanto
Soeteno said a July 20 satellite report detected 167 hot spots in
the province.

He appealed to all district heads in Riau to be aware of the
forest and land fires. (edt)