The people of Riau, Jambi and elsewhere in Sumatra and Kalimantan would be forgiven for imagining that the government does not exist to serve them, given their annual exposure to haze and smog.
For weeks, schoolchildren have been told to study at home as the predicted peak of the dry season nears.
Flights have been delayed and soon the annual regional expressions of exasperation will be heard as citizens of neighboring countries will have to stay home too.
Others may be wondering whether President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo can make any difference to the chronic problem usually blamed on Indonesia’s weak law enforcement against the practice of land clearing by burning.
The forest fires now raging were forecast well in advance, particularly given this year’s extended dry season; the ministries of the environment and forestry have been combined, aiming for better management of both issues, the Environment Law was strengthened in 2009 and only last year lawmakers finally agreed to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution.
This represents a baby step forward in collective recognition of a regional problem, particularly on the part of Indonesia.
So we have the instruments to tackle the issue, but law enforcement and the commitment of local and national leaders remain in question.
This is likely why Jokowi refused to elaborate on who was to blame for the fires during his visit at the weekend to a forest fire location in South Sumatra — he merely stressed immediate action should be taken by police against anyone suspected of being involved in starting fires, which now comprise hundreds of hot spots in six provinces across Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Thousands have reported respiratory difficulties. “Everyone knows what should be done,” Jokowi said. Companies found guilty of reckless burning could have their licenses revoked, he added.
Singapore’s National Haze Agency on Sunday reported that “As of 8 p.m. today, the 24-hour PSI (Pollutant Standards Index) was 93-106, in the high end of the moderate range and low end of the unhealthy range.” These indications usually lead to worse conditions.
Despite later measures to strengthen the law and the authority of law enforcement agencies, there were few cases of prosecution related to last year’s fires; it is simply easier to point the finger at companies and shut down their operations than deal with individual farmers who, as long-time observers note, include newcomers unfamiliar with traditional practices used to prevent and handle forest fires.
The West Kalimantan Police have named six suspects, while Riau police have named 28 suspects, including one palm oil company accused of burning 250 hectares of its concession.
Let us hope that this time around, politicians can rein in their prickly ultra-nationalist instinct and let the government do what is needed and enabled under the 2002 ASEAN Agreement: Ask for the neighbors’ help to put out the fires where necessary.
Decision makers should spend a day or two in the affected areas of forest fires. They would realize that today’s priority should be to guarantee everyone’s right to breathe clean air, not smog.
