Event:

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 9^th 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 Shariah 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.

Dr. Muhammad

Malaysia