Haze a health hazard

Haze a health hazard

The government of Indonesia yet again has failed to do
anything about the haze from the massive forest fires that is
choking its neighbor, Malaysia.

It is a serious health hazard to children and older people.
Thirty years from now they will suffer from the effects of smoke
inhalation in the form of serious respiratory illnesses,
including lung cancer.

Our own population some years back was subjected to
similar conditions. It is not enough to say that the fires have
been started by some Malaysian-owned companies. All of these
fires are taking place within Indonesia's borders, it is
therefore the Indonesian government's responsibility to put
out the fires and eliminate the health and air traffic hazards
caused by them.

The government has been completely remiss in carrying out its
responsibilities to protect the health of its citizens and also
in respecting the right of its neighbors to healthy air to
breathe.

PAUL E. RANTAU
Singapore