Author(s)

M. A. Kasmo

Abstract

The Southeast Asian haze crisis: lesson to be learned M. A. Kasmo Center For General Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia Abstract The Southeast Asian region experienced the worst haze crisis in history in 1997. The haze crisis was caused by massive fires in several regions especially the Indonesian islands of Sumatera and Kalimantan. It was reported that about 5 million hectares of land were burnt in 199711998 [I]. The haze crisis severely affected the economy of the countries of the region especially with regards to tourism, transport industries and the general health of the people. It has also psychologically haunted the people of the region, fearing its recurrence. The haze problem in the Southeast Asian region was very closely connected to the regional government drive for economic development. Many large oil palm companies and corporations were said to be responsible for deliberately starting the fire because it was the cheapest means of clearing the land for the cultivation

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