REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has outlined measures to handle the problem of haze shrouding Sumatra, Kalimantan, and other islands.
"The condition has a huge impact and is categorically very unhealthy," the president stated while chairing a limited cabinet meeting here, Friday.
He quoted the latest reports that Sumatra Island had 826 hotspots, South Sumatra 703, Kalimantan 974, and some in Sulawesi and Papua.
The first concrete measure is the joint implementation of the "one-map policy" by the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas).
The second measure is a moratorium on the issuance of new licenses for the exploitation of peatland areas, and those who have obtained licenses but are not yet operating.
"With regard to peatland areas, I need to notify the environmental affairs minister to not issue any new licenses, and the restoration of these areas must be carried out soon," the head of state noted.
The third measure is to review old peatland exploitation licenses.
"Those, which are not operating, must not operate," he affirmed.
Another measure is the evacuation of haze victims, particularly infants, that has to be carried out by several concerned ministers in an integrated manner.
Jokowi affirmed that the victims, particularly infants, do not need to be evacuated out of town. He suggested that they could be accommodated in government buildings equipped with air-purifying devices.
In connection with medical services for haze victims, he urged state owned and private companies to give contributions.
He also instructed the education minister to conduct onfield trips and pacify sections of the society that are worried about the approaching national examination.
"It is very important. Although we have prepared the measures, but we need to conduct onfield trips, so they know what we are going to do," the president added.
He stated that the forest fires and haze disaster are common problems, and so, every stakeholder, including the military, the police, and every ministry, must deal with the problems, particularly to help the victims.
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