Tag Archives: haze

It was also warned that the fires will only continue to worsen in the coming months, as the peak of the dry season is expected in August and September. So, time to thank Indonesia for the fresh air we have been getting thus far before the haze returns back in August?

In a move to copy Singapore's Government favourite phrase, Indonesia had decided to ownself praise ownself, as their Minister said that the results that Indonesia have taken to battle the haze was extraordinary.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has pointed to local pollution as the cause of Thursday morning's haze in a surprise move that absolves Indonesia from blame. Indonesia has faced years of ridicule for its forest burning agricultural tactics, which many experts have blamed for serious trans boundary air pollution in recent years.

A local study done to find out the effects of the haze on people indicated that breathing in the poor air quality is linked to an increased risk of cardiac arrests occurring outside of hospitals. The study was led by the Singapore General Hospital, and confirmed what many feared - haze is not just bad for asthma sufferers. The most vulnerable group is men above the age of 65. So, to the Indonesian minister who said that Singapore should be thankful to Indonesia for giving 11 months of good quality air, should we also thank them for making cardiac arrest a high probability for men aged 65 and above during the hazy month?

Indonesia's The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Ketaping office has predicted more forest and land fires for Sumatra in the coming weeks, coupled with lesser rainfall and hotter temperatures, may bring back the haze to the region.

Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla says that Indonesia's forests are being destroyed, and wants foreign countries to pay for the damage.

Just as the team was leaving the plantation, the officials were stopped by more than 100 men. The men demanded that the officials deleted the photographs that they had taken. The officials were taken hostage and held for almost 12 hours. During their capture, the mob intimidated them; threatening to beat them, kill them and dump their bodies in a nearby river.

Indonesia's Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar told foreign countries that while she has noted the complaints raised by foreign countries about the yearly haze caused by land and forest fires in Indonesia, the government is not acting on the haze because of "pressure by other countries".

As I woke up today, I was greeted by the familiar and comforting odor of smoke assaulting my nostrils - none other than our beloved haze! I took a deep breath. Ahhh, it seems to be Kalimantan peat flavor today, my favourite! I recall reading in the papers that the Indonesian government said the fires were relatively harmless. But they imposed record-breaking fines on the companies last year!

Indonesia's weather agency has warned that the haze may return if tough actions were not taken immediately to put out existing forest fires in Riau province. Head of Pekanbaru branch of Meteorology Mr Sugarin said: "Currently, the wind tends to blow to the south-east. If smoke haze occurs, there is a significant chance it will be brought by the wind to our neighbouring countries"