The way our politicians make decisions, we will soon have no cars to drive nor will we have matchsticks to light a fire. My rationale is based on the recent statements made by policy makers in this country who are forever banning this and that whenever some problems crop up.

Cars are the main cause of traffic jams and matchsticks start fires which cause the haze. Based on their their simplistic approach to solving problems, our policy makers may well have to ban cars and matchsticks (or anything that can start a fire) so that traffic jams and haze will no longer be a problem.

If you think I am being cheeky, just look at the lists of things that our policy makers have tried to ban over the last six months. They proposed to close 24-hour restaurants at 1am to curb immorality and cut down on the number of Indonesian workers because they are responsible for riots and other illegal activities.

I think it is rather sad that policies affecting our lives are being made at the whims and fancies of these politicians who appear to make these decisions so casually. Probably the ideas just struck them while they were chatting over dinner or during a social event. Without finding the root cause of the problem through careful statistical analyses and observations, statements are made and policy decisions put in place.

For example, what percentage of Indonesian migrant workers are bad hats? Why are people still eating and drinking after 1am instead being home asleep in their bed?

At the end of it all, employers and businessmen who have real businesses to run and families to feed may have to suffer as a result of these laws. I hope our authorities will make it their policy to think through carefully every aspect before making any statement and change that will affect our lives and livelihood.