[Kabar-indonesia] Singapore Air Quality Back In "Good" Range [+Firms should be punished]

[Joyo at aol.com]

also: Azmi: Malaysian firms in Indonesia should be punished if involved 

Singapore Air Quality Back In "Good" Range

SINGAPORE, Oct. 8 (Dow Jones)--People in Singapore woke up to clear skies 
Sunday, just one day after acrid haze from brush fires in Indonesia led the 
city-state's National Environment Agency to issue health warnings. 

The agency's Pollutants Standards Index stood at 27 in the "good" range at 12 
noon (0400 GMT) Sunday after soaring well into the "unhealthy" region 
Saturday when the PSI hit a high of 150. The agency defines an index reading of below 
50 as good, a reading of 51-100 as moderate, and anything above 100 as 
unhealthy. 

Saturday, the National Environment Agency warned those with heart or 
respiratory ailments to limit physical exertion outdoors and advised the general 
population to "reduce vigorous outdoor activity" because of the haze. 

The haze that hits parts of Southeast Asia around this time of the year is 
triggered by fires started by Indonesian farmers and plantation owners to clear 
brush during planting season. 

Malaysia has also been affected by the heavy haze. 

The worst case of smoke-induced haze in Southeast Asia occurred in 1997-98. 
It blanketed much of the region and was blamed for losses of nearly US$9 
billion in lost tourism, health and business costs. 

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Azmi: Malaysian firms should be punished if involved 

PETALING JAYA, Malaysia, Oct. 8 (The Star\ANN): Punish them! That is what 
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Azmi Khalid has to say to the 
Indonesian Government about Malaysian companies in Indonesia which may be polluting 
the air.

Malaysia will not protect any Malaysian company in Indonesia which may be 
contributing to the haze.

We are not here to protect anyone, and we implore Indonesia to impose the 
most severe penalties under their law to anyone found guilty," he said.

Azmi's comments were in reply to reports in the Indonesian media that some of 
the culprits involved in open burning were Malaysian-owned oil palm companies.

"However, even the Indonesian Government has confirmed that the burning is 
coming from the traditional slash-and-burn activities of smallholders and not 
plantation companies.

"But I would like to reiterate that Malaysia will not condone any activity 
done by its own people or companies."

Azmi, who was attending a function in Kangar, Perlis, said the haze was also 
very bad there.

When asked if Malaysia would submit a formal protest to Indonesia regarding 
the haze, Azmi said the Government could send any kind of note it wanted.

"But I don't think it would be of any use. The Indonesian Government is well 
aware of the problem and the only request Malaysia has is for the problem to 
be solved," he said.

Azmi said it was imperative that Indonesia ratified the Asean transboundary 
haze agreement and urged Jakarta again to do so, adding that no one knows why 
it was dragging its feet over theagreement. 

"Only when Indonesia ratifies the agreement can member countries set up a 
centre so that prevention and extinguishing of fires can be done easily."

When asked if Asean members would convene any sort of emergency meeting to 
discuss action against the haze, Azmi said there was no point talking any more. 

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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