"Thank God, within one to two days we have seen the results of what we have done," Yudhoyono said.
Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA News) - President Yudhoyono led a roll call of the integrated haze disaster emergency response task force, at the Roesman Nurjadin air force base, as part of dealing with forest fires and haze problems in the province.

The roll call was participated by 1,263 personnel of the task force. They consisted of various elements such as the military, police and members of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

The head of the state, on the occasion, was accompanied, by among others, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Coordinating Minister for Peoples Welfare Agung Laksono, Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi, Chief of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) Marciano Norman, and BNPB Chief Syamsul Maarif.

Yudhoyono thanked the personnel for their hard work in trying to extinguish the forest, plantation and peat-soil fires.

"Thank God, within one to two days we have seen the results of what we have done," he stated, even as he decided to personally supervise the efforts to put the fires razing Riaus forests and plantations.

The government has launched a three-week integrated operation to extinguish the fires, he added.

He also ordered that the slash-and-burn practices to clear land for farming or plantation, must stop because it produced disturbing haze.

"Riau can change and we shall change starting today. I call upon the Riau people to develop a new culture and new ways to help Riau free from haze," he elaborated.

The president was in Riau for three days to personally supervise the efforts to extinguish the fires. He had cancelled his agenda to join pre-election campaign activities in Magelang, Central Java, for his Democratic Party because of the worsening forest fires and haze problems in Riau.

Hundreds of hot spots and forest fires were reported in Riau province during the past month. The condition led to thick haze that covered most of Riau province area and caused respiratory infection among at least 55 thousand local people. The haze also reduced visibility and disturbed the air transportation there.

The haze emergency response task force in Riau dropped 1.6 million liters of water to extinguish forest fires there, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB)s Data Unit Chief Agus Wibowo stated here on Monday.

"The 1.6 million liters of water has been dropped 348 times using special planes like Sikorsky, Kamov and Bolcow over the past two weeks. Among the target areas are Bengkalis district, Dumai city, Kuantan Singgigi district, Indagiri Hilir district, and the border area between Riau and South Sumatra provinces," Agus explained. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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