The haze, or as some call it the smog, has enveloped Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia and has now become an annual affair despite agreement after agreement having been signed by the affected countries within the Asean framework.

The haze has even led to our firefighters previously descending on Indonesia to do their part to stop this yearly nuisance, which is not only a health hazard but also causing massive economic loss to the neighbouring countries.

Both the plantation companies and the smallholdings farmers have been blamed for igniting the blaze. The Indonesian government needs to attach strict conditions on land allocations to open up plantations. Estate owners can be expected to be more law-abiding than the small-time farmers.

Indonesia, now the largest palm oil producer, as well as the plantation firms, need to be mindful of the negative image the haze is causing to the oil palm industry. This yearly health hazard is now causing ill-will and animosity among the nations and their citizens. It is time to think out of the box to contain the recurring problem since the 1990s.

Since it is the bone-dry forests and agricultural areas that lead to the farmers and plantation companies to set fires that burn uncontrollably, the better way to stop this slash and burn method is to go for artificial rain through cloud-seeding. Cloud-seeding technology has been improved over the years from experience and knowledge.

Before the farmers could set fires, artificial rain could be used to wet large areas to prevent these obstinate people from doing so. By now the main yearly hot spots are known and artificial rain could dampen these areas. It is no point using artificial rain to reduce the haze after the forests burn.

This preventive combined action by Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore can stop the fires before they are started. Compared to the economic loss of billions of ringgit and the severe health risks to the people, preventive artificial rain could be the answer to stop the haze.