The 2015 haze crisis has affected countries across the region. But the ones who have suffered the most are Indonesians closest to the fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan. On 23 November 2015, the SIIA held a public seminar featuring perspectives from Indonesians from the worst-hit provinces, including experts, activists and journalists involved in anti-haze initiatives. Excerpts from the media coverage are below. The public seminar followed a haze working group meeting organised by the SIIA, bringing together parties from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
Experts from Indonesia call for early preparation against haze in future
SINGAPORE — The worst of the haze crisis may be over for now thanks to rain, but experts from Indonesia said pre-emptive measures must be taken to prevent such calamities from happening again, such as by declaring a state emergency for the whole of Indonesia, and preparing peat land so that they do not catch fire.
Delegates from the worst-hit provinces in Indonesia shared their stories of how Indonesians suffered on the ground at a seminar organised by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) yesterday (Nov 23).
According to the SIIA, the amount of haze-related deaths in Indonesia reportedly stands at 19, and over half a million people have been treated for acute lung infections. Panellists agreed that the Indonesian government needed to step up their efforts against parties responsible for the forest fires.
Singapore suffered one of its most severe and prolonged periods of haze this year, stemming from forest fires in Indonesia which were made worse by an absence of rain from the El Nino effect.
For the full article, please visit TODAY. This article was published in TODAY on 24 Nov 2015 and also appeared on Channel NewsAsia.
Nov 2015 – CNA Singapore Tonight – Mon 23 Nov 2015
One of our panelists, Mr. Prayoto, a former forestry official from Indonesia’s Riau province, also appeared on the Singapore Tonight programme on Monday, 23 Nov 2015.
Photo Credit: Girl in Jambi Province, Oct 2015 – Walhi Jambi
