TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Manager of policy and legal defense of Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), Munhur Satyahaprabu, urges the government to declare the haze disaster in several regions in Indonesia as national emergency. `There are elements of extraordinary crime, so the disaster needs serious attention,` said Munhur on Monday.
According to Munhur, by elevating the status of the haze disaster to national emergency, the government will be more serious in the crackdown against companies that are responsible. Walhi found that almost 80 percent of hotspots are located in the concession areas of several private companies and suspects more than 20 companies are involved in the crime.
Therefore, Walhi urges the government to also declare extraordinary crime. `If necessary, the government must shut down the companies that are guilty,` said Munhur.
Walhi does not concern the refusal to accpet the help offered by Singapore and Malaysia. As long as the government is committed, Walhi will support.
According to Munhur, this haze disaster must not happen again because many people have become victims. “Even infants in several regions died because of the haze,” he said.
Based on the data gathered by Tempo, at least 150,000 people in six provinces are suffering from acute respiratory infection (ISPA). The six provinces are Riau, Jambi, South Sumatera, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan.
LARISSA HUDA
