Pressure Mounts on Indonesia as Regional Haze Worsens

The Indonesian government is facing growing calls to crack down harder on companies and individuals responsible for forest and peatland fires, and to accept more help from abroad to bring them under control. The haze from the fires continues to blanket the region.

Fires burning in Kalimantan and Sumatra have reached a critical stage this year, producing toxic smoke that has drifted into neighboring countries, including Malaysia and Singapore.

On Sunday, Malaysia's environment department reported unhealthy air pollution index (API) readings in Kuala Lumpur, Johor and 12 other locations. That is roughly one-fifth of all the regions the country monitors.

Johor, Malaysia's second most populous state, announced that all schools and educational institutions will close for a week starting Monday, citing rising risks to public health.

In Singapore, air quality also reached unhealthy levels on Sunday. The city-state is considering suspending classes and national examinations if pollution rises to 'hazardous' levels.

Singapore will roll out a nationwide haze subsidy scheme (HSS) from October 13, after a rise in emergency room visits. Eligible residents whose medical bills are no more than S$10 (US$7.82) will be able to receive treatment for haze-related illnesses under the scheme.

Indonesia has deployed around 60,000 personnel to fight the fires in six provinces that have been given priority for aerial firefighting and weather modification operations: South Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan.