Where there is haze, there is fire

The episodes of haze has returned yet again, and this is among two of the bad haze conditions faced since 1997 and 2005.

There is no exception to human error when the health of the whole region comes under siege annually due to the clearing of land by palm oil and timber companies in Indonesia. So far, eight concessionaires have been identified by the Indonesian Environment Minister and National Disaster Mitigation Board, Balthasar Kambuaya.

An environmental group known as Greenpeace claim that these plantations belong to Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean conglomerates. The forest fire are said to originate from Riau and Jambi, the eastern side of Central Sumatra. Based on reports by the NOAA satellite, there are currently 227 hotspots and it is expected to continue burning well into the following month due to the high temperature and dry weather.

Efforts for cloud-seeding in the region have borne little results as clouds do not form over the hotspots. It is also impossible to trace clouds through the satellite imagery because of the thick haze. The most recent cloud-seeding operation which was carried out on Sunday triggered half an hour of rain in the Dumai district of Riau province. However, this did not prevent new hotspots from emerging. This highly technical operation involves dumping iodized salt onto dense clouds to help induce rain.

When the westerly monsoon winds start blowing in June, the haze gets carried into Malaysia and Singapore.

The alarming Air Pollution Index and poor visibility have prompted an emergency call for schools to shut down in several states in Malaysia, since Monday. The burning, which started on June 11 poses a health threat and is potentially life-threatening especially for children, the elderly and those already with cardiac and respiratory problems like asthma. Ordinary face masks do not help much as the smog molecules are smaller than what the masks filter. The haze consists of tiny particles measuring 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller.

Although citizens are encouraged to purchase N95 respirator masks, it is also not advisable to provide the N95 masks to those categorized as vulnerable as the mask causes the lungs to work harder and requires more effort to breath. Experts caution against providing the elderly, pregnant women, those below 15 years of age and those with chronic respiratory and cardiac diseases with N95. According to NIOSH, the agency responsible for the N95 rating, these masks are supposed to filter out 95% of airborne particles.

In spite of recurring occurrences together with two especially bad episodes of haze, one in 1997 and another in 2005, not much has been done by the authorities. This had however, prompted an agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, signed by the ASEAN countries in 2002, to monitor and combat pollution caused by forest fires.

Regionally, neighbouring countries are pressuring Indonesia for a solution. So far, no companies have been fined or taken action against. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono publicly apologized to Singapore and Malaysia today for the illegal raging fire that caused the air pollution hitting hazardous levels.

"As the president of Indonesia, I apologize for what has happened and ask for the understanding of the people of Malaysia and Singapore," Mr Yudhoyono said. "We accept it is our responsibility to tackle the problem."

He also sought for understanding from Singapore and Malaysia over the problem.

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Where there is haze, there is fire link to MSN

I'm Coming Home - A Poem by Carolyn Khor

I left my sweet love o’er the hills,
For I thought the stars would lead me home,
But far beyond a thousand journeys,
The faint echoes drum repeatedly:
Please come home,
Please come home. 

The wind and breeze bear witness,
To my dying wish I be laid to rest,
In the grounds of my beloved birthplace,
Where the smell of flowers bid me:
You are home,
You are home.

But as I wander through the vast empty land,
My guiding star I search in vain,
And so a promise I give myself –
Nev'r to stop till my love I find again:
I’m coming home,
I’m coming home.

June 27, 2013 - Carolyn Khor

Thumbs up for Women

It must have come as a pleasant surprise that three women from PKR were selected to be Selangor executive council members together with three others from DAP and four from PAS. Dr. Daroyah joins rank with Elizabeth Wong and Rodziah Ismail in an all-women three-member team after being sworn-in at the palace today. PKR Selangor had fielded six women candidates for its state seats, out of which five won. Twelve others from PKR who won are men.

In contrast, Penang has only one woman exco which is held by Chong Eng, the DAP state assemblyman for Padang Lalang. During the 13th General Elections, PKR Penang fielded a total of two women candidates for the Penang state seats, out of which only one succeeded - Dr. Norlela Ariffin from Penanti. Nine others from PKR who won are men.

The vast difference in women representation within PKR is largely attributed to the role of women in politics in these two states. At the same time, it must be lauded that Tan Sri Khalid has no qualms appointing an all-women team while putting aside gender bias. This goes to show his appreciation and awareness of a woman’s capabilities and contribution to the society. 

As a party helmed by a woman president, Dr. Wan Azizah, PKR is nonetheless a women-friendly party in a male dominated arena. Although Azizah did not contest in any seats, her influence as president presides in the hearts of all women as a symbol of strength and determination for those who seek justice.

Following in her footsteps is her daughter, Nurul Izzah, the giant slayer who won over the hearts of Lembah Pantai voters defeating Raja Nong Chik from Barisan Nasional.

While Selangor has no shortage of women leaders, Penang PKR is sorely in need of qualified and dedicated women who are willing to step forward to serve the public. Building up the women’s presence in politics is no easy task owing to multiple factors such as cultural and religious beliefs, family responsibilities and financial independence. 

Although women make up roughly 52 percent of the total voters, participation of women in politics is low. Given the diverse role a woman has to partake in, a career in politics may seem rather unattractive unless she is driven by a cause – a cause to speak up and better the lives of all other women. 

Zuraida Kamaruddin, chief of PKR Women’s Wing is one such lady who inspires and incites women to rise to the challenge when faced with one. Not unlike Nusaybah, her bravery and courage to speak out however, has earned her severe criticism from both within and outside the party. The Wanita national committee, with a team of about 60 core members nationwide is tasked to rouse the women’s confidence and raise awareness of a woman’s role in the society.

In committing to the women’s agenda, the women’s wing should be given ample voice in decision making within the party. As said by two PKR leaders recently, we are a reform party. As such, let us leave no room for cronyism and nepotism. For a young party to grow effectively, it is best to keep unwanted elements from creeping into the organization. 

At the same time party leaders should be sensitive enough to employ tactile strategies to strengthen the party in anticipation of GE-14 – don’t render it useless the years of hard work that has been put in by party elders to build the divisions and branches, youth wings and women’s wings just so that their voices are finally drowned out due to the lack of empathy and sensitivity towards hardcore supporters and party workers.

It is without a doubt that meritocracy, experience and formal qualifications included, holds the key to any politically appointed posts. Therefore more effort should be put in to recruit qualified people to allow them to practice serving first. If an organization is largely fueled by passionate activists who work endlessly and tirelessly, only to have their glimmer of hope fade into oblivion, it makes for undue stress and divide – something that can be avoided by nipping those hopes in the bud and with good management.

In other words, politics is only for those who have a cause and are willing to go the extra mile, ride out the bumpy road and with nothing to ask for in return - this includes activists, qualified persons, sidelined members and dropped candidates too. Anything and everything else is a bonus.

With that, heartiest congratulations to the three PKR women in the Selangor exco line-up.

* Disclaimer: This is my personal opinion and in no way represent the views of the party. I write this from the perspective of a third party and based on grouses that I hear from several sources.