Haze threatens RI's reputation

Haze threatens RI's reputation

JAKARTA (JP): Haze continued to envelope many parts of the
country yesterday as people began praying for rain to allay a
problem which could tarnish Indonesia's image abroad.

In Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, thousands of Moslems
gathered in the parking lot of Bank Indonesia late yesterday
afternoon to pray for rain, known as Istis'qa.

The prayer was lead directly by head of the local branch of
the Indonesian Ulemas Council KH Busra Chalid, Antara reported.
Also present was deputy governor Siswanto Adi.

They hoped their prayers would be answered and rain would ease
the haze shrouding the city.

Meanwhile, legislator Imam Churmen of the United Development
Party said if the country failed to control the forest fires
causing the haze, it could taint Indonesia's image abroad since
the smoke was also affecting neighboring countries.

He called on the government to take stern action against
companies who violated the government's ban on slash-and-burn
methods.

At least 300,000 hectares of forest, mostly in Sumatra and
Kalimantan, have been destroyed by fire this year.

Large-scale plantations and timber companies have been blamed
for the smoke because they persist in using fire to clear land.

State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said the
haze has reached unhealthy levels here and in Malaysia and
Singapore.

He said about 20 million people are in danger of respiratory
problems due to the thick smoke.

The haze has also caused the delay of 800 flights and at least
seven boat collisions on Central Kalimantan's Mahakam River in
the last few months.

Antara reported that Tabing airport in Padang, West Sumatra,
was closed yesterday as visibility decreased to less than one
kilometer, far below the normal 3.6 kilometers.

The airport's information officer, Wisda, said the airport has
intermittently delayed flights since Aug. 14.

There are usually 21 flights a day from the airport.

But the forest fires are no longer limited to Sumatra and
Kalimantan. Smaller fires have also flared in Sulawesi, Irian
Jaya and Java.

In Cirebon, West Java, about 395 hectares of land -- including
300 hectares of paddy field -- on the slopes of Mount Ciremai
have also been ravaged by fires, causing thick smoke.

Head of the Kuningan police precinct Lt. Col. Zoekarnain said
the fires were spreading fast toward nearby villages and highly
flammable pine forest.

In Pontianak, West Kalimantan, thick haze still covers the
city, forcing motorists to use their headlights during the day.

Hundreds of hectares are still burning in protected forest in
Muara Teweh, Central Kalimantan.

Forestry officials have blamed local slash-and-burn methods,
but North Barito Regent Barito Dj. Nihin has refuted these
allegations.

"Our survey has proven such an allegation is wrong," said
Nihin.

Thick smoke has forced drivers to stay alert along the Trans-
Kalimantan highway connecting South Kalimantan and East
Kalimantan.

About 11,000 hectares of forest in 27 locations was destroyed
by fire in North Sulawesi.

Forests in Minahasa, Bolang Mongomdow, Gorontalo, Sangihe
Talaud and Bitung regencies were affected. About 6,000 hectares
were damaged in Minahasa and 3,640 hectares in Bitung.

Forestry ministry officials said they are closely monitoring
the situation at the Nani Wartabone National Park, especially
around the Talubulo village in Gorontalo.

"The presence of 2,000 illegal gold miners in Talubulo is a
potential fire hazard and we are staying alert to prevent
disaster," said head of North Sulawesi's ministry of forestry F.
Sitorus Saturday.

So far there has been no immediate report on any serious
effects of the haze on people's health or on traffic in the
province.

In South Sulawesi, fires hit 430 hectares of forest spanning
over eight regencies. Worst hit regencies include Bantaeng and
the tourist resort Tanatoraja; at least 255 and 63 hectares of
forest were burned in the respective regencies.

Local officials said they had set up alert centers at some
fire-prone locations and have trained 60 local people on fire
fighting methods.

"Up to now we have not found any fire caused by forest
concessionaire holders," head of South Sulawesi's ministry of
forestry, Bashar Sadjoepradja, said Friday.

Haze has forced Merpati airlines to cancel all flights to and
from Sorong and Fak-Fak in Irian Jaya since last week.

Stranded passengers were disappointed because by the week's
end there was still no indication when flights would resume.
Merpati usually flies six times a week from Sorong to Fak-Fak.

A local Merpati official blamed poor visibility for the
canceled flights. (prb/aan/mds)