MCMC monitors M’sian-Indonesian online tensions over haze

KUCHING: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is monitoring online tensions between Malaysians and Indonesians over the prolonged transboundary haze affecting the country.

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the commission has yet to receive any public complaints involving content deemed grossly offensive in connection with the issue.

He acknowledged growing public frustration over the recurring haze, which has affected parts of Sarawak in recent months.

“So far, MCMC has not received any complaints from the public regarding content interpreted as grossly offensive in relation to this issue.

“We know and understand. The people are angry, and we are also angry about this seemingly never-ending haze problem,” he told reporters after paying a courtesy call on Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex here today (Oct 15).

Fahmi was responding to a question on online exchanges between Malaysian and Indonesian social media users over the haze and concerns that tensions could escalate if left unchecked.

On efforts to address the haze, he said the federal government had sent a letter offering to deploy assets to assist Indonesia in extinguishing fires.

However, he said Malaysia had yet to receive an official response to the offer.

Fahmi said the matter could be raised at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow (Oct 16), with any developments to be communicated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi or Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.

The prolonged haze has affected several parts of Sarawak, particularly Serian, where the Air Pollutant Index (API) reached a hazardous level of 519 on Sept 4.

The deteriorating air quality also disrupted schooling, with 108 schools in Serian ordered to close on Sept 24.

More recently, schools in Serian, Sri Aman and Lubok Antu were temporarily closed on Tuesday (Oct 13) due to unhealthy air quality.

On Oct 11, Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia had offered a firefighting aircraft, three helicopters and 52 personnel to assist Indonesia in tackling forest and land fires.

He said Malaysia was awaiting an official response despite letters sent through the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the Foreign Ministry.