TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) along with civil coalitions urged President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo immediately issue a regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) on environmental crimes to end corporate misdeeds in land and forest fires. The demand was conveyed since the government has failed in managing natural resources.

The forum’s advocacy department head, Zenzi Suhadi, said the regulation is necessary to prevent wildfires incident from recurrence. “We demand President passes Perppu on environmental crimes to stop business crimes operation that has no deterrent effect so far,” Zenzi told reporters in Jakarta, Tuesday, September 24.

According to him, Sumatra and Kalimantan people must live under harmful haze caused by land and forest fires. The haze has omitted the most basic rights of human existence to breath safely and comfortably.

“The ongoing haze handling also proves that the government has failed to anticipate the recurrence incident that should have been predicted previously.”

Walhi further demanded the government provide protection for firefighters in the field and appoint each regional administration office as the evacuation post and safe house from smog. They also asked the Health Ministry to give access to free medical treatment for victims in all hospitals and community health centers in every regional level.

The Assessment and Application of Technology Agency's (BPPT) head of Weather Modification Technology Center (TMC), Tri Handoko Seto, suggested the government to prioritize programs of land and forest fires prevention by adopting technology, such as the management of peatlands.

EKO WAHYUDI