Ex-NMP Calvin Cheng says haze left some visitors to Singapore with a very bad impression

Former Nominated Member of Parliament Calvin Cheng has expressed concern that visitors to Singapore are forming a "very bad impression" of the city-state due to haze conditions they encountered during their stay. Cheng wrote on social media that many foreign guests who attended events and meetings were affected by the haze, leading to "stinging eyes" and "respiratory inflammation," which he said has left some with an unfavorable view of Singapore.

The government should inform Singaporeans about the enforcement of the Transboundary Haze Act of 2014, which criminalizes actions that contribute to haze, allowing authorities to take legal action against firms responsible for it, even if they are located in other countries.

Cheng also highlighted that the haze originating from forest fires in Indonesia, particularly in Kalimantan and southern Sumatra, is causing harm not only to Indonesia's economy but also to Malaysia and Singapore. The fine particulate matter from the haze is detrimental to people's health, disrupts outdoor activities, and incurs additional costs for air-conditioning, air purifiers, or medical bills.

Meanwhile, Syahganda Nainggolan, head of Indonesia's Government Communications Agency, claims that the fires causing the transboundary haze are a natural occurrence and beyond human error. Additionally, he points out that Indonesian forests provide oxygen to Singapore and Malaysia during non-haze periods. The Singapore government has expressed readiness to support Indonesia in combating the forest fires and is open to regional cooperation on haze issues.