S'pore to urge action on haze

By Elgin Toh

The view of the haze from the Singapore Flyer in October 2010. -- ST PHOTO: MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN

SINGAPORE will continue to use all available channels to urge the Indonesian government to tackle the haze problem, Foreign Minister George Yeo and Environment Minister Yaacob Ibrahim assured Parliament on Monday.
Mr Yeo said Indonesia stood to gain the most from eradicating the haze. When the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hits the unhealthy level of 100 here, parts of Indonesia would be experiencing far more hazardous levels of between 200 and 300. 'The most interested party in solving the haze problem is Indonesia itself, because millions of its own people are affected,' he said.
Last month, fires in Indonesia caused hazy conditions over Singapore, with the PSI climbing above 100 for the first time since 2006.
Dr Yaacob said the haze onset was short this year and its impact 'minimal'. But Singapore continued to engage Indonesia on the issue. Singapore offers firefighting assistance to Indonesia. It also works with regional countries through a Ministerial Steering Committee to monitor hot spots.
Mr Yeo said Singapore would raise the issue with international groups like the United Nations and the World Health Organisation when it is 'necessary and helpful' to do so.
Bilaterally, Singapore is in close collaboration with the central and provincial authorities in Indonesia. For example, programmes in Jambi province initiated by Singapore to fight fire and promote sustainable land-farming practices have kept the number of hot spots there low.

Own Opinion: Since Indonesia is responsible for the haze created by their forest fires, they should do more to ensure that this does not occur again. Besides, it is not only the neighbouring countries who are affected by the haze. Their own locals are also affected, and more heavily as compared to the neighbouring countries like Singapore, as certain parts of Indonesia experienced PSI level of between 200-300, whereas for SIngapore it is in the region of 100. Though 100 is still not considered overly hazardous, it can still cause problems like eye/nose/throat irritation, and perhaps breathing problems, even more so for those with asthma. For safety and health for their own people and those around them, Indonesia should try to do more, like paying greater attention to hot spots and investing on more effective and efficient fire-fighting methods. Unless Indonesia is situated as a lone country far away from others, they should play their part as a country in Asia to ensure the continued safety of the region.

Ernest Lee, 102369D