Haze from Indonesia

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Haze in Malaysia and Singapore is usually attributed to forest fire in Indonesia caused by slash-and-burn method.

Here's a novel idea for the victims: impose a 'haze tax' on all goods imported from Indonesia. Besides working as a deterrent, it is also a way for the countries to recoup the cost of providing healthcare to those affected by the haze (notably children and old folks).

Naturally, there are lots of details that can be discussed and implemented e.g.
  • Exemption can be given to companies and their suppliers, collectively, that have been independently verified not practicing the slash-and-burn or any any practices that result in haze.
  • Impose the tax each time the haze season starts and end it when it's obvious the haze is not coming back for sometime
The first point's inspiration comes from the H1N1 epidemic years ago where Singapore sent team of experts to check and verify, on a state by state basis, chicken farms in Malaysia to be H1N1 free and thus allowing eggs to continue to be imported by Singapore. As for putting to condition on the suppliers of the exporting company, there is precedent in the Western countries where MNCs abide by and impose on the downstream suppliers certain conditions relating to child labour.

What do you think?

Comments

William said…
Implementation headaches? Or just some buddy-buddy arrangement via diplomatic channels? Lupakan saja...
September 28, 2011 at 11:04 PM
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