Global Voices Online - Since mid June until today, most
areas in the Riau province of Indonesia, south western coast of Malaysia and
Singapore are affected by thick hazardous clouds of haze which originated from
the southern part of the Sumatera Island. The source of the haze is mainly a
3,000 hectare peat land in the Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province, which was set
ablaze by unknown parties on the 9th of June 2013. About 260 hotspots are
observed in the Riau province and most of these hotspots are in areas owned by
palm oil plantation companies. The 'slash and burn' method to clear land for plantation
carried out by small planters is commonly blamed for the occurrence of haze.
However, the sheer area of haze coverage seen today points to the huge
possibility that errant plantation conglomerates are to be blamed. Indeed, last
week, the Indonesia government released a list of 20 local and foreign
companies blamed for the fire. This is not the first time that the problem of
haze has engulfed the area. In 1997 thick haze due to open burning of land in
the same area brought about the demise of an Airbus flight belonging to Garuda
Indonesia in 1997 where visibility was said to be only about 600 meters. Haze
was also experienced in 2005, again, caused by land clearing in Sumatera
Island.
Comment:
In
addressing this issue, the problems must be seen in a wider context – that
which covers human nature and the domination of thoughts that build human
passion and uncontrollable desires. If we try to understand the motivation
behind the open burning, we can see that the perpetrators are manifesting the
very same instinct – the survival instinct. However, what distinguishes between
the two groups of perpetrators – small planters and conglomerates - is the
purpose of fulfillment of the instinct. For small planters, they burn the
forest for a bowl of rice, for their livelihood, but for the capitalist
conglomerates, they burn the forests for profit without regard of the
consequences. Nevertheless, this difference is not a justification for the
small farmers to burn forests to make ends meet. It is the responsibility of
the authorities there to ensure that the basic needs of these farmers are met.
It is also the responsibility of the authorities to impose adequate control on
open burning of forests through strict enforcement of law. Obviously this did
not happen. The haze episode recurred. Putting the issue in a deeper
perspective, we can understand that the real problem lies in the ruthless
behavior of capitalist conglomerates in their pursuit of achieving material
prosperity at the expense of others and at any price. These companies will not
bother to take responsibility, not even from a moralistic perspective for their
behavior. The world is now suffering under the capitalist doctrine and is
exploited in a manner which is contrary to the most basic of human values.
Islam
does not forbid man from enjoying Allah's blessings, nor does it forbid him to
work, nor gain earnings and wealth. On the contrary, Islam renders work
necessary for the progress of the human life, and for man to carry out his
duties. However, Islam does not accept that some people over consume while
others suffer. Nor does Islam accept threats, harassment and disturbances
befalling individuals, communities and nations in general. In the context being
discussed, the episode of haze in South East Asia is a form of environmental
disturbance and hazard to individuals, communities and nations. Allah's Law is
implemented in its entirety, the haze episodes could be avoided definitively.
Under the authority of Islam Shari’ah Laws related to open burning, which would
cause problems to many parties, will be implemented as a matter of law and a
matter of taqwa.
The
fundamental solution to these environmental problems and human problems as a
whole is to remove and discard the real reason, which has caused these
problems, i.e. by a global rejection of the inhumane capitalist doctrine, which
still controls the destinies of nations and embrace Islam as a holistic
solution to the world's problems which will ensure mankind's happiness and
tranquility. Islam's political, economic, social, environmental and other
solutions are the only solutions which will save the world from the injustice
and darkness of the capitalist system. Islam takes man from worshiping man to
the worship of the Lord of mankind. And Islam takes people away from the
injustice of man made doctrines and ways of life to the justice of the laws of
Allah.
Or,
See
this Link:
No comments:
Post a Comment