Punishing culprits will curb fires

Punishing culprits will curb fires

From Pelita

Three hundred thousand hectares of forest in Sumatra and Kalimantan reportedly caught fire and the resulting smoke surged into the air. Even neighboring countries were affected.

The burning of wood waste added to the thick smoke. The perpetrators are none other than forest businessmen, or, according to Amien Rais, forest destroyers.

The burning of waste yields smoke which is much denser than that emanating from forest fires. In answer to this, the government is planning to announce the names of the forest businessmen (destroyers) who burn wood waste.

The problem of forest fires -- with smoke also billowing from waste burning -- resurfaces every dry season. Steps against it have been limited to the planned announcement of culprits.

Their action is far worse than that of thieves who, in olden times, were condemned.

The announcement of their names apparently is not just. But if they thought their reputation was important they would not act in such a way. Their behavior causes great losses to the country.

They do not deserve to live in this country if they cannot promise they will not do it again.

M. FATIH

Jakarta