Clear the air – and make sure those responsible are held accountable

During the Merdeka holidays, a journalist went fishing off the coast of Pahang and Johor. They initially enjoyed a beautiful morning with mist over the mangrove and river. However, the mist transformed into a thick haze as they sailed away from the river mouth. This haze was visible even in Pulau Tioman, hundreds of kilometers from the nearest Indonesian territories. The journalist had never seen such a bad haze before, and they were certain it would only get worse.

The journalist, who is relatively healthy, experienced headaches and nausea due to the haze. They expressed concern for those with actual health issues who must endure the haze. The current haze was worse than previous ones, blocking vision and causing frustration. An Indonesian official criticized Malaysian and Singaporean neighbors for complaining about the haze without acknowledging its harmful effects. However, the journalist pointed out that Indonesia's contribution now includes harmful pollutants, not just oxygen.

Indonesia has been experimenting with clearing the haze using dry ice, which is meant to lift smoke particles higher into the atmosphere. However, this could potentially worsen the situation by allowing the smoke to travel further with stronger monsoon winds. Indonesia's forest fire problem has become severe, with fires now burning underground and engulfing dry peat.

The El Nino and a lack of remaining forests are exacerbating the problem. The journalist believes that political leaders in the region must take a more aggressive stance against this issue and hold accountable those responsible for setting fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, including some Malaysian plantation companies. They urge ordinary Malaysians and Indonesians to demand better treatment of the problem and express sympathy for those suffering directly from the haze.