Singapore protests

Singapore protests

From Kompas

In relation to the smoke haze from Indonesia, The Straits Times has written an editorial: Give us back our day..., all about how Singapore and Malaysia should firmly but politely warn Indonesia about the damage it is causing. This is saddening indeed!

The Mangrove Foundation has protested against Singapore's illegal buying of teki wood, collected by the poor people in the Bengkalis regency. Singapore uses the teki wood (mangrove stems, about 10 cm in diameter) as foundation poles for Singapore's building development.

Can you imagine the destruction this is causing to the mangrove forest in Riau.

Singapore, as payment, gives used goods such as clothes, second-hand TV sets, and other household goods. In short it is all rubbish. These poor people have no bargaining power and accept what is regarded, in Singapore, as garbage.

Singapore remains unmoved by our protests and has not shown the least concern over the damage to Indonesia's environment.

Now that Singapore feels the impact of the Indonesian environmental damage, caused by the forest fires in Kalimantan, its getting all excited about the destruction. This selfish attitude of Singapore saddens us.

Therefore, we would like to suggest that the Indonesian government establish a regional cooperation for preserving the environment, dealing not only with forest fires but also protecting the mangrove forest from illegal felling.

LISMAN SUMARDJANI

Mangrove Foundation

Jakarta