Root cause of yearly haze woes: i) ii) slash and burn methods used to clear land; corruption; and

iii) lack of political will to solve the problem permenently.

Slash and burn methods are cheap and cost-effective means of getting the job done, but the consequences are horrendous.

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Address root cause of yearly haze woes - The Jakarta Globe

June 30, 2013 Every year for the past 15 years, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are shrouded in thick, choking smog resulting from slash and burn activities by palm oil companies in Sumatra. The fires rage for months before subsiding when the rains start. This year, the fires have been particularly bad with the Malaysian and Singaporean governments voicing their concerns and urging Jakarta to act. To its credit the Indonesian government has taken steps to try and extinguish the fires.

This week Riau Police named 14 people as suspects and are investigating the involvement of five plantation companies suspected of causing the forest fires there. We urge the authorities to fully investigate the individuals and companies and make those guilty face the full force of the law. The authorities have also mobilized military aircraft and helicopters to contain fires in 59 hotspots. Their efforts are bearing fruit as the number of hotspots has decreased. But with the region moving into the hot season, the fires are expected to continue for some time yet. The Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) has predicted that there will be a growing number of hotspots in the coming months given the long dry season. The agency added that weather modification technology currently in use should be extended until all fires are put out. The annual fires and the choking haze are not only detrimental to health, they also cause huge economic losses. Over the years, the haze has cost billions of dollars in lost revenue for companies and businesses. It has led to billions being spent on trying to contain the fires. The root of the problem is the slash and burn methods used to clear land. This must stop. It may be a cheap and cost-effective means of getting the job done, but the consequences are horrendous. Indonesia must work with its neighbors, who are the worst affected, to put an end to this annual menace. - June 30, 2013 * This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

Disgusted with Indonesia's annual 'gift'

Michael Ng 2:02PM Jun 24, 2013 I am really disgusted with the "annual gift" that Indonesia presents to our country every year when their farmers and plantation workers carry out the slash and burn method to clear the land for re-planting. I am sure there must be a better way to go about doing this but obviously they chose the easiest and cheapest method. It is no joke having to breathe in polluted air. The dust particles in the air are so minute that they can easily enter our lungs and stay there. Who knows the effect it can have on 2

our health in the long run? It could even be cancerous! The Indonesian government can put the blame on Malaysian and Singaporean-owned oil palm plantation companies operating in Sumatra island for causing the haze but ultimately what is lacking is the strict enforcement of the environmental laws (if any exists at all) on their part. How could it be possible for these companies to carry out their slash and burn activities with such impunity all these years if not for the lackadaisical attitude of the Indonesian government on putting its foot down. I pity our school children and those elderly and suffering from asthma and other breathing problems. The haze has made their daily lives very difficult and uncomfortable. Since the onslaught of the haze, I have been sneezing and my nose runny. My nine-yearold son is having the same problems, too, as both of us have sensitive noses. Perhaps I should write officially to the Indonesian Embassy to ask them to sponsor a new air-conditioner and an air purifier for my home since they are our "friendly neighbours" and the current hazy situation affecting our country is of their own doing. Indonesia being an Asean member and our close neighbour should not take us for granted. If it were any unfriendly nation, they would consider this annual haze problem as an "act of war" as it is harmful to the country's citizens. It also has harms the country's productivity and economy tremendously. Nations had in the past gone to war over a football game and here we have been suffering since the late 80s by these hazardous haze originating from our neighbour, who seems to know nothing on how to control and prevent it except to engage in a blame game which none of us are interested in hearing.