When haze becomes hazier<\/p>\n
The Indonesian government and those of neighboring countries
\nhave been extremely worried by the serious impact of the haze
\ncoming from burning forests in Kalimantan and Sumatra. But those
\ninvolved in the making of the \"environmental apocalypse\"
\napparently remain unrepentant.<\/p>\n
The haze, covering a vast area of Southeast Asia, is not only
\nfeared as a health hazard but has also caused limited visibility
\nin Kalimantan, Sumatra, Malaysia and Singapore. According to
\nState Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, who reported
\nto President Soeharto about the severity of the situation on
\nMonday, at least 300,000 hectares of forest, mostly on
\nIndonesia's two largest islands, has been burned in the last
\nthree months.<\/p>\n
The minister accused large companies, mostly in Jakarta, of
\nintentionally burning the forests despite government warnings
\nthat their actions may lead to disaster. At the meeting, Soeharto
\nordered him to stop slash-and-burn style land clearing activities
\nacross the country. Sarwono said that if this instruction was not
\nobeyed he would not hesitate to take stern action against
\nviolators.<\/p>\n
His statement immediately provoked us to question why so many
\nconcerns have been so irresponsible? Finding the answer to this
\nmay need numerous seminars and many years. This is not the first
\ntime that the minister has gone to request presidential
\ninvolvement in facing thoughtless enterprises causing social
\ndisturbance.<\/p>\n
In May, 1995, the very same minister reported to the President
\non the destruction of Bira island within the Thousand Islands in
\nJakarta Bay, caused by a business tycoon who had illegally built
\na golf course there. Soeharto then underlined the importance of
\nrejuvenating the environment and threatened to prosecute the
\ndeveloper if it refused to abide by existing regulations.
\nHowever, nothing further was heard about the project or the
\npenalty the developer might have received because officials, when
\nasked by the press about the case, preferred to remain silent.<\/p>\n
But for Indonesia, the present haze is much more serious,
\nespecially as it is accompanied by a drought, one of the most
\nsevere in 50 years. That is why Sarwono has warned those he
\nbelieves to have had a share in causing the calamity.<\/p>\n
In a normal situation, since such offenses have repeatedly
\nbeen committed since 1994, many of those responsible are brought
\nto court. But the reality is questionable. There are hundreds of
\nforestry companies in Kalimantan and Sumatra but until now only
\ntwo in Riau have had their licenses revoked.<\/p>\n
Reports said yesterday that even after Sarwono named three big
\ncompanies as culprits and three ministries vowed to handle the
\nmatter seriously, local authorities in the worst-hit province in
\nSumatra, found another company burning forest of between 7,000
\nhectares and 9,000 hectares. The same day the provincial forestry
\noffice also issued a stern warning to seven companies for the
\nsame offense.<\/p>\n
These companies must possess influence to challenge the
\nauthorities. If, as Sarwono said, they have headquarters in
\nJakarta, their influence could only come from political
\nconnections.<\/p>\n
Law enforcement has been one of the weakest links in our
\nbureaucratic chain for a long time and today, amid the more vocal
\ndemand for a clean government, the crusade is getting more
\ndifficult.<\/p>\n
So, those who expect the haze problem to be soon overcome will
\nonly find themselves frustrated if they are too optimistic. The
\nhaze above us is becoming hazier.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/when-haze-becomes-hazier-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}