A forgotten disaster

Though publicity has been scant, another disaster, not monetary, has struck. This one has nothing to do with the rupiah exchange rate or a crises of confidence. El Nino is the scapegoat for indifference among authorities, an indifference all too common in the forestry business in this country.

Forest fires are once again raging in East Kalimantan. The area damaged is, as yet, unknown. However, the 200 hot spots initially detected have now multiplied to about 800. Latest information suggests that the fires are encroaching on the Kutai National Park and other protected areas. But, as with last years fires, the inclination is to view the present disaster as something ordinary and acceptable. Exposure in the media is dismissed as a cheap attempt to sensationalize the issue.

Only the Malaysians view the forest fires in Kalimantan as a serious threat. Chairman of Malaysia's National Disaster Management Committee, Datuk Mohamed Rahmat, has requested that Indonesia take immediate steps to extinguish the fires.

It appears that we must constantly be reminded of the dangers of forest fires. Last years fires were only declared a national disaster after neighboring countries became irate at the choking smog, rising from fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, which smothered their cities and people.

We cannot blame El Nino forever and we cannot depend upon rain to extinguish the fires. Although we are facing a monetary crisis, we have not lost everything. At the very least we still have the sense to know that to triumph over disaster, action is required.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta