THE haze is a phenomenon faced by Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. It is a pollution of the atmosphere, which is clogged with pollutants and substances from forest fires.

We had a scare recently when the Air Pollutant Index (API) was 79 in Nilai and Negri Sembilan; Pasir Gudang at 74; Port Dickson at 70; Malacca at 72; Putrajaya at 62 and Petaling Jaya at 51.

The haze is a direct effect of forest fires in Kalimantan and other parts of Indonesia due to slash-and-burn farming.

The Indonesian authorities appear to have no power to prevent farmers from practising this method.

There were 14 fires in western Kalimantan, four in Sarawak and one fire in Sabah, western Sumatra and Brunei.

The haze is worsened by Malaysians conducting open burning. Hospitals and clinics often report an increase in respiratory problems, lung infections and asthma attacks. It is dangerous for children and older people to stay outside.

Therefore, it is advisable for them to stay indoors and drink plenty of water.

The haze has long-term side effects. Prolonged inhalation of polluted air will result in serious lung infection, which particularly affects the elderly.

The government must cooperate with the Indonesian authorities to stamp out forest fires. The culprits must be brought to justice, either through fines or prison sentences.

Constant vigilance will ensure the perpetrators do not repeat the offences.

However, at the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, the Indonesian government promised to use its police force and fire department helicopters to quickly put out forest fires.

The Malaysian government is prepared to send aircraft to Sumatra to help the Indonesian authorities tackle the problem.

The government should also raise public awareness about forest fires. It should have campaigns on the causes, solutions and steps to reduce haze.

The authorities should provide aid to farmers and introduce more sophisticated forest-clearing methods.

People have to remember that we do not own the world, but instead, we borrowed it from future generations.

We must protect our world so that our grandchildren will have a healthy earth to live.

DEBBIE INJAN ANAK ANDREW JUMAT, Research and policy executive, Forum Air Malaysia

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/09/170614/work-indonesian-authorities-stamp-out-forest-fires