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)