Malaysia Protests 'Goed To' Karhutla Smoke Fog, Commission IV: Should Have Been Anticipated For A Long Time

KLHK Doc

JAKARTA - Commission IV of the House of Representatives highlighted the emergency conditions of smog fog caused by forest and land fires (karhutla) in a number of areas, especially in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Moreover, the increasingly severe forest and land fires in Indonesia have made Malaysia send a letter of protest because they were also affected by the smog.

Member of Commission IV of the DPR, Daniel Johan expressed his disappointment with the Government's slow motion in overcoming forest and land fires, especially the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK). Even though the DPR has warned long ago.

"We at Commission IV of the DPR RI have warned the Ministry of Environment and Forestry ahead of time, as soon as there was a prediction from the BMKG that there would be a long and dry dry dry dry dry season (El Nino). We have reminded the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to anticipate early on and coordinate with related parties," said Daniel Johan, Friday, October 6.

Daniel reminded that forest and land fires are not easily controlled when they occur, especially since the topography of forests in Indonesia is very difficult.

"The government should be able to learn from previous events so that it can be better in dealing with the situation of El Nino," said the legislator from the West Kalimantan I electoral district.

Daniel also encouraged KLHK and BNPB to coordinate with all parties and involve all existing potentials. Starting from government institutions, entrepreneurs who use forest services and the community to work together to control forest and land fires.

"To control forest and land fires in several places at this time, the government must mobilize all existing potentials, including the community. Then mitigation and supervision must be carried out to prevent incidents elsewhere," said Daniel.

The Commission in the House of Representatives in charge of Environmental and Forestry affairs emphasized that the widespread forest and land fires issue in Indonesia must be addressed immediately. Daniel then highlighted the protest letter submitted by the Malaysian Government, whose territory was also affected by the smog caused by forest and land fires in Indonesia.

'Protes from neighboring countries are quite an embarrassing harsh warning, because this is not the first time this has happened. Malaysia and Singapore have often shouted at smog from Indonesia causing air pollution in their territory," he said.

Daniel assessed that the protests from neighboring countries had injured the nation's self-esteem. This is like showing that Indonesia cannot solve the problems that occur in its own territory.

"The state must try to take the best steps to overcome karhulta. We do not want failure to resolve forest and land fires to tarnish Indonesia's good name," said Daniel.

Daniel then asked the Government to intervene in terms of budget so that the forest and land fires problem could be resolved immediately.

"The most important thing is that the budget for handling must be budgeted immediately and receive serious attention from across ministries/agencies, this is all a problem, not only the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry," he said.

On the other hand, Daniel encouraged the Government and law enforcement to take firm action against the perpetrators of illegal hunters who were suspected of deliberately burning land in Way Kambas National Park (TN), East Lampung. The fire at the Sumatran elephant conservation site has endangered the protected natural and wildlife ecosystem.

"We are deeply concerned about land fires that have caused serious ecological losses, including the death of protected wildlife in Way Kambas National Park. Land burning actions that may be intentionally carried out by poachers must be dealt with firmly in accordance with applicable law," said Daniel.

It is known, a number of protected animals died due to land fires in Way Kambas TN, East Lampung. A total of 200 hectares of land are said to have been deliberately burned by poachers. As a result, there were animals that died on fire, including pangolins, snakes and several other small animals were also burned with only leaving bones.

Based on information from the TN Way Kambas, this fire was the worst compared to previous years. Meanwhile, the cause of the spread of fire is because the condition of the forest and peatlands is drier and prone to sparks. This was the impact of El Nino which caused a long dryness of more than five months.

In addition, large animals such as elephants and rhinos experience serious health problems caused by smoke and thick dust around Way Kambas National Park as a result of land fires. Therefore, Daniel reminded the Government to also pay attention to protected animals, especially those protected.

"The loss of protected wildlife is a big loss for us, because protected wildlife is an important part of Indonesia's biodiversity which is very useful for the continuation of the world ecosystem," he said.

In addition, Daniel also emphasized the importance of an in-depth investigation to find the perpetrators and ensure that they are tried for their violations. Strict sanctions are expected to have a deterrent effect on the perpetrators of illegal hunting.

"So there must be an example of decisive action for these poachers, because so far law enforcement only resolves the estuary, such as smuggling wild and protected animals, not looking for who did it when these animals were in the forest," said Daniel.

The firm action of the individual monument or land clearing group and illegal clay hunting is considered insufficient. According to Daniel, stronger preventive measures are also needed to prevent similar actions from happening in the future.

"In this case, synergy is needed between the central government through the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) and law enforcement officials," he said.

"And of course the role of local governments in mapping the potential of regions that are often targeted by poachers," concluded Daniel.