A serious problem

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