APSN | Smoke from Indonesian fires hits 'unhealthy' levels in Singapore as authorities push to hunt offenders

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Smoke from Indonesian fires hits 'unhealthy' levels in Singapore as authorities push to hunt offenders

Reuters - August 26, 2016

Riau Police drops probe into 11 firms linked to forest fires – Jakarta Post. July 20, 2016
Firms responsible for 2015 fires go largely unpunished – Jakarta Post. June 14, 2016
As forests burn, Indonesia's new anti-fire agency feels heat – Reuters. April 4, 2016
Paper industry demands revocation of forest-license freeze – Jakarta Post. December 28, 2015
Indonesia forest fires cost twice as much as tsunami clean-up, says World Bank– Agence France Presse. December 16, 2015

Air pollution in Singapore has risen to the "unhealthy" level as acrid smoke drifted over the island from fires on Indonesia's Sumatra island, the city-state's National Environment Agency (NEA) said, in a repeat of an annual crisis.

Every dry season, smoke from fires set to clear land for palm oil and pulp and paper plantations in Indonesia clouds the skies over much of the region, raising concern about public health and worrying tourist operators and airlines.

The 24-hour Pollution Standards Index (PSI), which the NEA uses as a benchmark, rose as high as 105 in the afternoon – a level above 100 is considered "unhealthy".

The NEA said it planned a "daily haze advisory" as "a burning smell and slight haze were experienced over many areas" in Singapore.

Indonesia repeatedly vows to stop the fires but each year they return. This year, Indonesia has arrested 454 people in connection with the smoke pollution.

When heavy, the choking smog closes airports and schools and prompts warnings to residents to stay indoors. Pollution levels in neighbouring Malaysia were normal on Friday.

Singapore has pushed Indonesia for information on companies suspected of causing pollution, some of which are listed on Singapore's stock exchange.

A forest campaigner for the environmental group Greenpeace Indonesia, Yuyun Indradi, said the Government was struggling to enforce laws to prevent the drainage of peatland for plantations and the setting of fires to clear land.

"It has become a challenge for the Government to enforce accountability among concession holders, to enforce its directives on blocking canals, and push companies to take part in efforts to restore peatland and prevent fires," Mr Indradi said.

"Now is the time for the Government to answer this challenge. It is in the law." Greenpeace said, according to its satellite information, there were 138 fires across Indonesia on Friday.

Source: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2016-08-26/smoke-from-indonesian-fires-hits-unhealthy-levels-in-singapore-as-authorities-push-to-hunt-offenders/1612012.