In Singapore, about 322km south, similar problems threatened the smooth running of the recent Formula One Grand Prix, a highlight of the island republic’s social and sporting calendar.
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APP was asked by Singapore’s National Environment Agency last month to supply information on its subsidiaries operating in Singapore and Indonesia, as well as measures taken by its suppliers to put out fires.
NASA, observing the haze as a weather issue, said this year’s smoke will be the region’s worst on record.
Exacerbated by dry conditions from El Nino, the haze has blown across Southeast Asia, blanketing Singapore, parts of Indonesia and Malaysia in a smog that has caused these areas to close schools and suspend outdoor events.
“The views and cooperation among ASEAN members will assist in solving this problem”, he said.
More than 35,000 people have fallen ill from the air pollution in the three months up to the end of September, according to the Riau province health agency. DBS Group Holdings’ Indonesian unit is the biggest lender to Jakarta-based palm plantation company PT Provident Agro, followed by PT Bank Mandiri Persero, the company’s semi annual report shows.
For many Malaysians and Singaporeans, these mea culpas ring hollow, given the continued absence of any concrete countermeasures.
The two bodies said in a joint statement: “They are a good starting point for retailers to commit to a green procurement process, and for consumers to show their support for brands that have environmentally friendly practices”. A palm oil company, with links to Australia is also under investigation, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
While air-quality readings in many other southern provinces were within the maximum safety standard of 120mcg, local authorities were on alert and monitoring the situation closely.
Meanwhile, frustrated citizens are taking matters in their own hands, with a civic group exploring the possibility of a class action lawsuit against companies responsible for the illegal burning.
Bureaucracy is no doubt the chief culprit in creating and condoning the perennial haze problem in this region. “The idea is appealing but it would probably have to be on a voluntary basis similar to a few institutional investors having environmental, social and governance criteria as part of the investment decision”, said Mak Yuen Teen, an associate professor in accounting at the National University of Singapore. At the height of the 2013 fires, the Indonesian minister in charge of the crisis accused Singapore of “behaving like a child”.
MFA had reiterated its offer of assistance to Indonesia, which includes, among other things, a team from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to provide assessment and planning assistance and up to three C-130 aircraft for cloud-seeding operations and for ferrying the SCDF team.
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Indonesia is home to between 10% and 15% of the world’s plants, mammals and birds – but they’re all under threat due to numerous fires in its diverse forests, causing air pollution and carbon emissions. Oil palm plantations earned revenue of $18.5 billion in Indonesia a year ago.
