On October 7, 2015, Bernama reported that Indonesia will consider accepting help from neighboring countries if the haze continues until three weeks to come. The Indonesian Ambassador in Malaysia, Herman Prayitno stated, “Indonesia is attempting to solve it independently, and if in two or three weeks, the haze problem has still not settled, certainly we will coordinate help from neighbouring countries through ASEAN,” to journalists after attending the 14th pre-opening meeting of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council.
Previously, the President of Indonesia Joko Widodo claimed the republic would need three years to curb the burning of fields and forests, thus solving the problem of haze that has contaminated their neighboring country. Herman stated that measures have been taken by the government of Indonesia in solving the problem of haze which has so far resulted in 30,000 of its citizens suffering from respiratory problems, such as by building a canal drainage ditch and drains in the Central of Kalimantan.
To date, 30 companies suspected of being involved in the burning of forests in Kalimantan are under investigation and their license will be suspended if found guilty, he stated. Earlier, Indonesia has taken action against four companies as they were the cause of the burning of forests in that country until resulting in parts of Southeast Asia being covered in critical haze.
Comment:
As we all know, the haze occurring currently is caused by the burning of land and forest. The disaster inflicted by Allah to mankind is the result of man’s own actions. This tragedy should awaken people to their mistakes so that they will soon return to the right path.
ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
“Corruption has appeared in both land and sea because of what people’s own hands have brought about so that they may taste something of what they have done so that hopefully they will turn back.”
(ar-Rum, 30:41)
The haze disaster is very difficult or even impossible to terminate as the current greedy capitalist system has dominated us. For the sake of economic interests, the concession right of millions of forest hectares and land are granted to private sectors. Thus, this is one of the root problems for the haze disaster. Parties granted the right mentioned have taken the shortcut by burning the forests in order to ease further land management. They use fire as a tool as it is cheap, easy and the results are quicker without thinking about the problems that would be borne by the residents nearby. This is the concept instilled in the capitalist system.
Therefore, the disaster regarding the burning of forests and land that results in critical haze will only be terminated with the implementation of the Islamic system. According to Shariah rulings, Islam stipulates that forests are included in public ownership (property of the entire people). The Prophet ﷺ stated:
«المسلمون شركاء في ثلاث: الماء والكلأ والنار»
“The people are partners in three things: water, green pastures and fire (energy).” (Narrated by Abu Dawud and Ahmad)
As public ownership, it is not permitted for forests to be given to the private sector be it individuals or enterprises. With this provision, the root causes of the burning of forests and land can be controlled and curbed early. The management of forests as public property must be executed by the state for the benefit of the people. If this is carried out well, it would certainly ease balancing economic interests, the citizen’s interests and forest conservation. The country also has to educate and build awareness of the society to create forest conservation and its benefits for the next generation. If the burning of forests still occurs, hence it is compulsory for the state to immediately solve the problem by managing and sustaining the welfare of its citizens.
O Muslims, who are aware of this situation, let us all work together to expedite the implementation of the Islamic Shariah comprehensively. This can only be actualized through the implementation of the Islamic Shariah in the Khilafah Rashidah system upon the method of Prophethood. This is what should be immediately established by all the Muslims in the entire world.
Sumayyah Ammar