Finding answers to tough questions

From Suara Karya

The heat is impossible to ignore during the dry season and the drought has forced people to endure shortages of water for cooking, drinking and washing.

Water in paddy fields has dried up so no more rice can be planted. Worse still is the burning of forest land that has been earmarked for plantation, agriculture and transmigration projects. It has been said that willful action was behind some of these land clearing operations.

Smog from the forest fires has spread over much of Kalimantan -- Pontianak, Palangkaraya, Banjarmasin and Balikpapan are among the haze-affected cities -- and Sumatra -- the cities of Jambi, Pekanbaru, Palembang and Padang have not fared much better.

Garuda and other airline companies have had to cancel many flights due to limited visibility. Accidents and respiratory disorders have been some of the ramifications of the thick smog.

Neighboring Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore have their own share of smog-related problems. The governments have declared the fires an emergency situation and advised their citizens to reduce outdoor activities and wear masks when they leave the house.

President Soeharto, on behalf of the government, has apologized to the governments and people of neighboring countries.

Malaysia has sent some 1,500 volunteers to help quell the fires in the southern part of Sumatra.

As an Indonesian I feel ashamed to look at the facts. We have almost 200 million people but have shown ourselves to be indifferent to the suffering of people affected by the smoke. We have been inconsiderate toward our neighbors.

Where are the young people of the youth organizations? We have never heard their comments or expressions of concern, which may prompt others to help.

Let us hope the Indonesian youth will feel called upon to take direct action for the sake of the nation and its people.

SUGIYANTO SP

Jakarta