A serious problem

President Soeharto's apology to neighboring countries which are suffering from the smoke from forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra was truly moving. It was an apology that came from the heart, that, at the same time, provided an indication of the difficulties which Indonesia must face in trying to put out those forest fires.

We understand the distress that prevails among our neighbors due to the haze problem. Forest fires have tended to become more and more extensive and have, according to the statement made by our Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, already ravaged some 300 hectares of forest land. On a number of air fields in Sumatra and Kalimantan, aircraft are no longer able to land.

All this should give us reason for introspection. For many years, forest fires have been a problem and we are still not able to solve the problem satisfactorily. Malaysia, too, possesses vast tracks of forests in Sarawak and Sabah, yet there have seldom been reports of serious forest fires there. The same is true for Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, which have climates that are almost identical to ours. What is wrong with us? Do we lack discipline? Is our law enforcement inadequate, or are there other factors at play?

Still, we have reason to feel somewhat relieved on learning of the strong measures which our Minister of Forestry has taken. Those measures are a positive step in the right direction. Nevertheless, we are hoping that measures of a more comprehensive, more proactive and more preventive nature are in the offing. Naturally, funds must be set aside for this purpose. The number of forest administrators and wardens must be increased. Proper equipment must be made available. People living within the area of our forests must be better educated so they understand that, more than providing a source of livelihood for them and their families, our forests have a much broader function and must be protected and preserved.

The most important factors, however, are persistence and competence on the part of our government apparatus in enforcing existing regulations. These factors are of the greatest importance, given the temptations which these officials must be able to defeat, especially when confronting capital owners who are not averse of doing anything within their means in their effort to reap the highest possible profit.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta