SINGAPORE - Over the last 25 years, the Indonesian authorities have shown that they do not have the ability or will to manage the haze problem.
We hear that they are "doing all (they) can to contain the fires", but if this is the best they can do, then we are in trouble.
The lack of ability to solve the problem can be easily corrected by allowing those with expertise to help.
Perhaps the Indonesian authorities could publish the number of arrests and the amount of fines collected from those who were punished for starting fires to clear the land.
Most of the Indonesian authorities' plans, such as deploying firefighters and using water-dropping aircraft, are reactive rather than proactive.
Proactive steps, like educating farmers and providing the tools to enable them to pursue an alternative way of clearing the land, are not effectively pursued.
Funds provided by neighbouring countries for this purpose have not produced any measurable and sustainable result.
Singapore needs to demonstrate how seriously we take the Indonesian government's failure to rein in the haze situation.
Perhaps we need to consider taking the matter to the United Nations or some other international authority.
- Matthew Ong Koon Lock