Take on this disaster
The government's preoccupation with solutions to the present monetary and economic crises is understandable given the difficulties faced by the country. In fact, it is not only the authorities who are engrossed in the problem, private Indonesian citizens are compelled to daily assessment of the continually changing condition of their economy and the ramifications of this for them and their families' lives.
It is indeed unfortunate that financial difficulties are almost entirely distracting our attention from the possibility of yet another major disaster. Forest fires are again reported to be raging in Kalimantan and Sumatra. Hot spots, detected using satellite imagery and usually indicative of fire, are reported to have increased alarmingly in number on the island of Kalimantan in recent days.
According to the latest reports, fires have already begun to encroach on at least one major national park in East Kalimantan. Experts predict that this years forest and brush fires -- and smog -- could be worse than last year, when smoke from forest fires in Indonesia caused respiratory health problems in Singapore and Malaysia, disrupted air and sea traffic and was responsible for some fatal boating accidents.
It would be incorrect to assume that the authorities are unaware of the danger that new forest fires present. Yet, considering the pressing need to cure our economic ills and repair damage inflicted by monetary turmoil on our economy, it may be no exaggeration to say that our capability to effectively deal with the fires is impaired. Yet, leaving the fires to blaze unimpeded will bring even graver consequences down upon our economy.
Timber is still one of the main pillars of our economy. Last year's forest fires reportedly destroyed hundreds of thousands of hectares of valuable forest. It is appalling to think of further damage on top of this resulting from insufficient efforts to contain the new wave of fires that have broken out. This is not to mention the long-term social and economic effects of damage done to our land and natural resources, including precious and irreplaceable genetic material stored in our forests.
Under the circumstances, the best way to proceed might be to ask for whatever assistance other countries are able to give us. Considering that our forests rank among the world's most valuable natural assets, and that preservation of these forests benefits both Indonesia and the world at large, such assistance would be in the interest of all.
Our part of the bargain must be to undertake that every effort be made to ensure that similar disasters will never again happen, or are at least minimized. This in spite of our present economic difficulties. Better enforcement of the existing laws would help, but greater participation of concerned groups and organizations must also be ensured. In conclusion it seems correct to say that rather than make us forget the importance of properly looking after our rainforests, present economic adversity should make us vitally aware of the need to do so.