Wan Junaidi (second right) presents assistance to one of the recipients while Rashidi (left) and Feona look on. — Photo by Kong Jun Liong14
KUCHING: Malaysia is ready to share with Indonesia knowledge and experience in managing peat soil.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the Indonesian government would soon send a delegation to learn about open burning and land clearing for plantations.
“During our recent visit to Indonesia, the authority there said they plan to pay a courtesy call on my ministry to get information on open burning in our country.
“We have the expertise and vast experience in managing peat soil and this attracted their interest, so they will be coming over to learn from us and we are ready to share our knowledge with them.”
Wan Junaidi who is Santubong MP told reporters this after presenting education, medical and natural disaster assistance amounting to RM56,000 to 92 recipients from his constituency in the service centre at Jalan Kulas here yesterday.
According to him, among things of interest to the Indonesians was tube well technology.
“Our tube well technology had been proven very effective in helping us fight and control peat fires which contribute to the haze and they are keen to learn from us,” he said.
Wan Junaidi hoped Budget 2016 to be tabled in parliament on Oct 23 would enable bigger allocations to be given to Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, and Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to build more tube wells in peat lands throughout the country.
Asked on assistance from the Malaysian government to help its Indonesian counterpart fight persisting forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, Wan Junaidi said Malaysia, through the Ministry of Defence, was prepared to assist if required.
He told reporters that Malaysia had sent a Bombardier CL415MP aircraft to help put out forest fires in Indonesia.
“Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein will coordinate assistance from National Security Council, Fire and Rescue Department, and Department of Environment for the mission.
“We will send a team of firefighters to help with fire fighting in Sumatera and Kalimantan when there is request from our neighbouring country,” he said.
Among those present yesterday were Wan Junaidi’s wife Datin Sri Feona Junaidi and community leaders from the parliamentary constituency, including Pemanca Rashidi Junai and Penghulu Sidek Sitam.