On: Indonesia is burning. So why is the world looking away?

[kercker]

Why don't the people of democratic Indonesia choose a president, a government that cares about pollution, cares about the lives?

The author may expect with more intense coverage from the renowned international media community, the government of Indonesia will pay more attention to the problem, and perhaps the government will take effective measures to tackle this problem.

Due to the coverage on air pollution of China from domestic and foreign media, especially on PM 2.5, the majority of Chinese people slowly become aware with the health risks posed by the air pollution. This put pressure on the Chinese government, and since then the government has promised to clean the air, and they really are taking steps to reduce pollution.

[stuaxo → kercker]

Indonesia is extremely corrupt, and as he points out the president has very little power.

It's well worth watching the film "the act of killing", though also incredibly depressing.

The best we could hope for is international pressure from other countries, especially it's neighbours.

Most important is that consumers try and avoid products that use palm oil unless ethically sourced (sorry, but no Nutella, Ferrero Rosche etc).

[yeukhon → stuaxo]

> The best we could hope for is international pressure from other countries, especially it's neighbours.

Southern-Asia isn't known for incorruptible democratic government either. They don't really pose any interest involving Indonesia's affairs.

[jussij → yeukhon]

As you correctly point out, incorruptible Southern-Asia governments seem to be the exception and not the norm.

Unfortunately, it also seems to be a government contagion that seems to be spreading.