KUCHING: Serian residents are increasingly anxious over worsening haze after the Air Pollutant Index (API) rose above 300 today, with concerns mounting over its health impact.
Serian District Council chairman, Datuk Peter Minos, said the situation was hazardous and dangerous to health, with many residents questioning how long the haze would persist.
“Many are asking: when will this end? How long will this horrible haze last? Our council’s councillors, staff and general Serian public are asking, ” he said in a statement today.
He added that Serian had suffered the worst impact from the haze compared with other divisions, resulting in anxiety, alarm and fear among residents.
Minos said concerns were also growing over the possibility of the haze and heat continuing for days or weeks, which he said could make daily life miserable.
“Nobody is blaming the government. But people are very unhappy why Indonesia is not doing much in putting down the fires in Kalimantan. ‘They should be more serious and more determined’, said many in Serian,” he said, quoting comments from people in Serian.
He added that some residents had also suggested that Indonesia should be made to bear the cost of losses and suffering experienced by Sarawakians due to the haze.
He cited medical bills, losses to tourism, school closures, event cancellations and disruptions to work as among the consequences that Indonesian authorities should take into consideration.
Drawing a comparison with Sarawak, Minos said local authorities would immediately respond when an open fire occurred and work to extinguish it.
“Why cannot Indonesia do the same? It seems that they are not serious enough in stopping fire outbreaks. They have more money and manpower than Malaysia.
“They are just not serious. The excuse is always that the nation is big and it is not possible to control the people. These are all merely excuses for a lack of action,” he said.
Minos added the haze and heat were getting on people’s nerves, adding that residents could only be advised to remain calm and cool while hoping for better days and for the haze to clear soon.
“These are some words of consolation to help people bear the almost unbearable situation,” he added.
