Goh Chok Tong commends Yudhoyono for haze action

SINGAPORE — Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has praised Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for his will and dignified statesmanship in dealing with the haze. Writing on his Facebook page, Mr Goh noted that hot spots in Sumatra have been reduced due to the Indonesian President’s directive to his Ministers to put out the fires. Mr Goh, who is also a Member of Parliament for Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency, also noted that the National Environment Agency’s three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) had fallen into the moderate range this morning due to the rain of recent days and change in wind direction. “As the saying goes, when there is a will, there is a way,” Mr Goh wrote on his Facebook page MParader. “Thank you, President SBY, for showing the will, graciousness and dignified statesmanship. This is appreciated, in contrast with the boorish remarks of some of his ministers.” Last week, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik chided Singapore and Malaysia for making “noise to the world when things go bad”, and that the two countries should “know themselves” that “it’s just like husband and wife, don’t take your quarrel outside”. The week before, Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Agung Laksono said “Singapore shouldn’t be like children, in such a tizzy” over the haze. Looking ahead to next year, Mr Goh said that “prevention is better than cure” in addressing the seasonal fires on Sumatra island, set by farmers and plantation owners to clear their land, which cause the haze. “It may not be possible to totally stop poor farmers from their slash-and-burn practice but it should be easy to prevent commercial plantation owners from doing so,” he wrote. “With satellite technology, new laws if necessary, and political will, smoking guns can be identified, confiscated and made to pay if they are fired.” WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CHANNEL NEWSASIA