S’wak activists plan peaceful rally to demand tougher action against recurring transboundary haze issue

Peter John Jaban

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 15: The Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) advocacy group is planning a peaceful protest outside the Indonesian Consulate in Kuching to call for greater accountability and stronger action over the recurring transboundary haze affecting Sarawak.

In a press statement, Sarawak rights activist and S4S representative Peter John Jaban said, “We cannot continue to accept haze as an annual inconvenience while Sarawakians suffer its consequences. An emergency declaration should be a wake-up call, not something we forget once the immediate danger subsides.

“The Sarawak government must explore every appropriate legal avenue to hold responsible parties accountable and demand effective action from the Indonesian government to prevent this recurring environmental crisis.”

He added that the movement calls for legal action against parties found responsible where justified, stronger measures to prevent and control forest and land fires in Indonesia, and greater efforts to safeguard public health and minimise disruptions to education and economic activities.

It also called for an assessment of the losses suffered by businesses, workers and affected communities in Sarawak, as well as a clear, long-term strategy to prevent similar haze crises from recurring.

“This is not about hostility towards the Indonesian people, who may also suffer from the haze. It is about accountability, prevention, and protecting the people of Sarawak.”

He further noted that the S4S movement will announce further details of the planned peaceful protest once arrangements have been finalised. – DayakDaily