The Indonesian government has sought to punish perpetrators of forest fires, particularly companies which have caused choking haze in the region, disturbing flights and incurring economic losses. Numerous sporting events were cancelled last weekend due to the higher than normal PSI levels, which has resulted in speculation about the prospects of the race taking place.
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With downpours arriving on Tuesday and yesterday, and more storms forecast, rain might help improve the air quality, but it would also provide an extra obstacle if it strikes during qualifying or the race.
“I want to stress that very firm legal action will be taken”, said the president, who is now on a trip to the Middle East.
The fires have been exacerbated this year by the effects of the El Nino weather phenomena, as a prolonged dry season in Indonesia has parched the top soil, fuelling the flames.
Singapore Grand Prix officials have confirmed the event is scheduled to go ahead unchanged despite the threat of rising air pollution levels.
Instead, the city-state has been covered in a haze more reminiscent of a doomsday movie, triggered by raging forest fires in Indonesia, that has led to a worsening of air quality and raised doubts over the Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend.
On Monday night, Malaysia’s Education Ministry declared all schools in the states of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negri Sembilan and Malacca will be closed Tuesday, reported The Star Online.
Students from Palembang, Sumatra, wearing face mask as they walk home after school.
Indonesian authorities plan to sanction this week three or four companies of the total 26 under investigation, said Environment Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar, with the revoking of their land permits a possibility.
One thousand military personnel were dispatched to Riau while 600 were sent to South Sumatra province to help local authorities fight fires, Indonesia’s disaster agency said.
In just one of many activities affected by the annual haze problem, a race simulator event involving McLaren’s Jenson Button yesterday was moved indoors “due to the current hazy conditions”, organizers said.
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Indonesia has come under pressure to control the annual smog outbreaks but joint regional efforts have failed to find a lasting solution.
