Indonesia Ratifies Agreement on Trans-Boundary Haze Pollution
17 September 2014 18:28 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Despite the raging haze pollution in SUmatera and Kalimantan that causes trouble for neighboring countries, Indonesia has agreed to ratify the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP). Indonesia became the last ASEAN member states to ratify the agreement, which was signed in 2002.
The agreement was initially drafted following massive forest fires in 1997 that raised concerns on trans-boundary haze pollution. All ASEAN member states, except Indonesia, agreed to sign the agreement in June 2002.
By ratifying the agreement, Indonesia has the duty to take action, prevent, and monitor trans-boundary haze pollution, as well as informing other nations if such disaster takes place. Moreover, Indonesia needs to take legislative, administrative, and other measures in an effort to implement the agreement.
Singapore welcomes Indonesia in ratifying the agreement as the number of hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan continue to increase. Singapore claimed that the haze has had serious effect, causing air quality to drop below healthy levels.
RYAN NOFITRA | SYAIPUL BAKHORI | KARANA W. | PARLIZA HENDRAWAN | ANTARA
