Pekanbaru, Riau (Antara) - A peaceful rally was organised here on Monday to protest the prolonged haze that has enveloped Riau Province. This hazard has occurred every year for the past 17 years and has taken a toll on the health of residents here, many of whom suffer from respiratory infection and have endured material losses. The haze is due to forest, plantation and peatlan fires, explained Herry Budiman, the rally's field coordinator. Hundreds of people, including NGO activists, urged the authorities, particularly the police, attorney general officers and judges, to enforce laws consistently, firmly and transparently to prevent forest fires from occurring again. "The haze problem has been endemic for 17 years, but there is no solution in sight. Therefore, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono should be responsible for the problem," Herry said. "As Indonesian citizens and Riau's inhabitants, we demand an apology from him, the Riau administration, and the district/city administrations," he stressed. "Law enforcers must be firm in imposing regulations transparently and fairly. They must protect the environment. The haze problem is worse than the eruptions of Mount Kelud and Mount Sinabung," he pointed out. The activists at the rally were from Walhi, Jikalahari, Greenpeace, Mapala, Seruni, and WWF Riau. (*)

Pewarta:

Editor : Tunggul Susilo


COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Jawa Timur 2014