A forgotten disaster

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