Hand Jokowi a hose
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With Indonesian forest and land fires showing no sign of dying down, thus prolonging the suffering of millions of people across the region, it is natural to expect the nation's authorities to muster all resources at their disposal to protect citizens now
On Tuesday, haze resulting from the fires reached its worst level on Sumatra, as residents of Pekanburu state capital Riau woke to a visibility reduced to just 50 metres. Outdoor activity was severely curtailed due to health concerns.
Ordinary citizens should not be bearing the brunt of a disaster they did not start.
In fact, this year’s haze has now claimed five victims in Indonesia alone, while 135,000 people have developed respiratory problems, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
One death is too many. The five lives claimed by the haze so far are damning evidence of a grave failure by Indonesian authorities to ensure the safety of citizens.
With the calamity expected to drag on at least until next month, the question now is whether the government will prevent the toll on human life and health from rising.
People who have not breathed clean air for months have the right to demand speedy measures from authorities. So do neighbouring countries whose citizens have been made to suffer. Yet our senior government officials, including Vice President Jusuf Kalla, have responded to their grievances with little empathy, let alone culpability.
Efforts to fight the fires involve 21,000 personnel, including the military and police, but have remained ineffective. New hot spots were detected in East Kalimantan and the South Sumatra town of Ogan Komering Ilir on Tuesday.
BNPB chief Willem Rampangilei said the agency was considering a chemical substance invented by an Indonesian scientist in the US as an option. The method involved is said to be able to douse fires in one week. The main concern, however, is the huge cost of the chemical.
A responsible government would seek out every path to save its citizens at whatever price and would not close the door on outside assistance, particularly as the haze has once again spilled out of Indonesian jurisdiction.
A more responsible government would dare to declare fighting the forest fires a top priority and devote time and energy to quickly address the disaster. If necessary President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, known for his blusukan (unannounced visits), should run his office in haze-stricken cities to lead the fight against the fires and thus ensure that the efforts work.
