Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Malay-Muslim NGOs in M’sia to file class action lawsuit against firms causing haze

KUALA LUMPUR — Companies that have been using forest fires to clear land in Indonesia will face a class action lawsuit in about a month, several Malay-Muslim groups said today (Oct 21) after voicing frustration over the annual haze problem.

A construction worker in mask walks in front of Malaysia's landmark building, Petronas Twin Towers shrouded with haze in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct 21, 2015.  Photo: AP

A construction worker in mask walks in front of Malaysia's landmark building, Petronas Twin Towers shrouded with haze in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct 21, 2015. Photo: AP

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

KUALA LUMPUR — Companies that have been using forest fires to clear land in Indonesia will face a class action lawsuit in about a month, several Malay-Muslim groups said today (Oct 21) after voicing frustration over the annual haze problem.

Mr Nadzim Johan, who heads the Muslim Consumer Association of Malaysia (PPIM), said the proposed lawsuit will be a good way for those affected by the haze to express their anger against the the firms responsible.

“So we want to collect information, who burns forest, who is the owner and we ask the lawyers that have expertise in legal matter, maybe international laws to gather and discuss with the purpose of taking legal actions against companies, especially Malaysian companies,” he told reporters at a press conference.

Mr Abd Kareem Said Khadaied, another activist present at the media conference, said the Malay-Muslim groups involved in the planned lawsuit are currently in a “fact-finding” process to determine if 10 companies in their list are truly responsible for contributing to the haze.

“We identify the companies, some of the 10 companies are subsidiaries of GLCs and we also know that Malaysia’s GLCs have much involvement with farming in Indonesia.

“So we hope those who are involved, come to us, before we come and find them,” the secretary-general of Muslim group Pertubuhan Tarekat Muktabar Malaysia (Pertama) said.

The Malay-Muslim groups that are currently listed as part of the class action suit include Perkasa, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (ISMA), Pewaris, Yayasan Muamalat Belia, Yayasan Patriot Negara Malaysia.

Mr Abd Kareem later told reporters that the eventual list of non-governmental organisations involved in the lawsuit could easily go up to 250, which he claimed would represent one million consumers.

He said Gabungan Amin, a coalition of 50 Malay-Muslim NGOs that he said he leads, represents half a million consumers and will also be part of the lawsuit.

Like Mr Nadzim who said that any NGO is welcome to join the suit and even lead it, Mr Abd Kareem said that Chinese and Indian groups are also welcomed to do so as the matter transcends racial boundaries.

“The issue at hand has got nothing to do with race, so although the base is basically Malay and Muslim NGOs, we welcome non-Malay NGOs to come with us, because the issue at hand surpasses racial barriers, this is something that affects the entire Malaysian population so we should get together and take collective action,” he said.

Mr Abd Kareem said another action that can be taken is to launch a boycott against companies that are involved in forest burnings, but said time would first be given for these companies to step forward and offer solutions.

“We are in the process of finalising our investigations and before we initiate the boycott, we are giving the room to these people who are responsible to come to us. So we do not want to launch the boycott immediately.

“No, we won’t be contacting them, they will be contacting us. Because they know who they are,” he said, having cautioned that the power of consumers should not be underestimated.

Mr Nadzim said the boycott could be on an international scale, saying that they might ask environmentally-conscious countries to join in the protest and seek for them to be blocked from certain markets like the European Union zone. MALAY MAIL ONLINE

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.