A serious problem<\/p>\n
President Soeharto's apology to neighboring countries which
\nare suffering from the smoke from forest fires in Kalimantan and
\nSumatra was truly moving. It was an apology that came from the
\nheart, that, at the same time, provided an indication of the
\ndifficulties which Indonesia must face in trying to put out those
\nforest fires.<\/p>\n
We understand the distress that prevails among our neighbors
\ndue to the haze problem. Forest fires have tended to become more
\nand more extensive and have, according to the statement made by
\nour Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, already
\nravaged some 300 hectares of forest land. On a number of air
\nfields in Sumatra and Kalimantan, aircraft are no longer able to
\nland.<\/p>\n
All this should give us reason for introspection. For many
\nyears, forest fires have been a problem and we are still not able
\nto solve the problem satisfactorily. Malaysia, too, possesses
\nvast tracks of forests in Sarawak and Sabah, yet there have
\nseldom been reports of serious forest fires there. The same is
\ntrue for Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, which have climates that
\nare almost identical to ours. What is wrong with us? Do we lack
\ndiscipline? Is our law enforcement inadequate, or are there other
\nfactors at play?<\/p>\n
Still, we have reason to feel somewhat relieved on learning of
\nthe strong measures which our Minister of Forestry has taken.
\nThose measures are a positive step in the right direction.
\nNevertheless, we are hoping that measures of a more
\ncomprehensive, more proactive and more preventive nature are in
\nthe offing. Naturally, funds must be set aside for this purpose.
\nThe number of forest administrators and wardens must be
\nincreased. Proper equipment must be made available. People living
\nwithin the area of our forests must be better educated so they
\nunderstand that, more than providing a source of livelihood for
\nthem and their families, our forests have a much broader function
\nand must be protected and preserved.<\/p>\n
The most important factors, however, are persistence and
\ncompetence on the part of our government apparatus in enforcing
\nexisting regulations. These factors are of the greatest
\nimportance, given the temptations which these officials must be
\nable to defeat, especially when confronting capital owners who
\nare not averse of doing anything within their means in their
\neffort to reap the highest possible profit.<\/p>\n
-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-serious-problem-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }