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)