Don't just wait for rain!

The haze in South Sumatra from September to October is nothing unusual. I remember the haze was so dense in October 1961 that several ferries were involved in collisions and a number of flights had to be canceled.

At the time, farmers were blamed for burning forest to clean land soon after the beginning of the rainy season.

I do not remember if in the past the haze also spread to neighboring countries like Singapore and Malaysia.

For sure, at the time there were no business conglomerates investing in forest exploitation. Now businesspeople are being blamed.

If the allegation is true, they should be sued as business tycoons have funds and are better educated than traditional farmers. The tycoons are expected to fully understand the need to maintain a sound and healthy environment. They are supposed to know the possible consequences of slash-and-burn practices.

If it is true that conglomerate businesspeople are to be blamed, Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja should take immediate action. He should investigate the case and prevent the forest fires from reoccurring.

It is shameful that our President has had to apologize for the haze to neighboring countries. It wouldn't have happened if those responsible for the haze were honest enough to admit their faults.

I hope the government will do its best to curb the fires as soon as possible and will not just wait for the rain to come.

H.W. PIENANDORO

Bogor, West Java