KL gets tough on forest burners

KL gets tough on forest burners

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia said yesterday it may use the powerful Internal Security Act (ISA) against anyone found openly burning forests, one of the major contributors to the smog in Southeast Asia.

"I would like to give a warning, if the situation (burning activities) cannot be solved to the core, we may use the ISA to detain people who commit this offense," Law Hieng Ding, science, technology and environment minister, was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

He said even though offenders already face heavy fines or jail terms, there are still many people willing to take the risk.

Kuala Lumpur is concerned there will be a repeat of the haze that enveloped much of the region last year, as fires are once again burning on Borneo island.