The Federal government should approve a special RM 1,000 tax rebate for Malaysians purchasing air purifiers to cope with the haze crisis caused by Indonesia. Indonesia has failed to treat the haze crisis seriously until it still refuses to declare the situation a national disaster.
Yesterday, Indonesia Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Dudung Abdurachman said that foreign assistance, including from Malaysia, to help Indonesia combat widespread forest and land fires will have to wait for Indonesia to declare the situation a national disaster. Dudong added that the the Indonesian government remained confident in its ability to manage the crisis using its own resources.
Indonesia is irresponsible for not declaring the haze situation a national disaster and for refusing international offers of help when it is clear that they cannot cope. The limp response of the Malaysian government led by Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, is disappointing. Mohamad Hasan refuses to suggest an ASEAN Transboundary Haze Task Force with permanent staff from ASEAN countries ready to conduct immediate fire-fighting efforts.
Following the rejection by Indonesia, Mohamad Hasan has also refused to sue the Indonesian government and continues to rely on failed diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile Malaysians continue to suffer from the deteriorating haze situation with serious health issues and children not going to schools.
If Malaysia refuses to act against Indonesia to help Malaysians suffering from haze, then the Malaysian government should offer a special tax rebate(not tax deduction) of RM 1,000 to help Malaysians purchase air purifiers to cope with the haze crisis. Presently, many air purifiers are sold out and prices have also increased due to the shortage in supply.
Air purifiers can help mitigate the adverse health effects for the elderly and young children. This RM 1,000 rebate for air purifiers will help cover some of the unexpected extra cost of haze that is burdening ordinary Malaysians.