Again schools were ordered to shut (for at least two days) in Malaysia in order to protect children from inhaling smog as the air quality remains at very unhealthy levels (nearly hazardous in some regions). The air pollutant index still shows readings of between 201 to 300 in six districts around Malaysia's capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The haze, which - reportedly - may become the worst haze ever, is caused by companies' and people's illegal slash-and-burn practices to clear land for planting on parts of the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. The situation is exacerbated by the (El Nino-related) prolonged dry season.

Lanjut baca ›

Sementara Pemerintah Malaysia menginstruksikan lebih banyak sekolah untuk tidak beraktivitas pada hari Senin, sekolah-sekolah di Singapura dibuka kembali di hari pertama minggu ini karena kualitas udara membaik. Meskipun begitu, kendati telah membaik, kualitas udara di Singapura tetap tidak baik untuk kesehatan. Indeks standar polutan di Singapura mencapai 161 (berarti tidak baik untuk kesehatan) pada pukul 11 siang waktu lokal Singapura pada hari Senin (membaik dari level ‘berbahaya’ pada 341 minggu lalu). Sementara itu, Singapura menyebutkan lima perusahaan yang ikut menyebabkan kebakaran hutan yang menyebabkan kabut asap tebal di Asia Tenggara.

Lanjut baca ›

The haze, caused by dozens of forest fires on Sumatra and Kalimantan, and which have spread to Singapore and Malaysia, is expected to plague the three countries in the next couple of days. Indonesian authorities, which are currently investigating forest fires in Central Kalimantan, South Sumatra, Riau, West Kalimantan and Jambi, mentioned that there are 107 people who have been named suspects, involved in 68 acts of slash-and-burn practices (according to Indonesian media).

Lanjut baca ›

Forest fires on the Indonesian island Sumatra have brought severe smog over Singapore's skyline for the past five days, reaching record breaking levels of air pollution in Southeast Asia's wealthy city state. The forest fires are believed to be caused by illegal slash and burn practice on Indonesia's forest-rich island of Sumatra (for palm oil expansion) and represent a recurring problem in the dry season. Besides the environmental disaster, the forest fires cause health issues as well as economic losses for Singapore.

Lanjut baca ›