‘Clean air is not a favour’: Indonesia’s neighbours fed up with acrid haze as Singapore threatens to prosecute
Companies behind fires in Indonesia threatened with legal action as region dogged by persistent, transboundary haze Singapore is threatening to prosecute companies responsible for some of the worst fires in years in neighbouring Indonesia, as the region grows increasingly frustrated with a persistent, acrid haze that could result in diplomatic relations fraying. Lawrence Wong, the Singaporean…
Indonesia's neighbors are growing increasingly frustrated with the persistent, acrid haze caused by fires in the region, with Singapore threatening to prosecute companies responsible for some of the worst fires in recent years. Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has distributed masks to vulnerable citizens and is working with regional countries to address the smoke.
However, the problem is a long-standing issue in Indonesia, with drier-than-usual conditions worsening the situation and millions affected by the smoke. The haze has led to school closures, respiratory illness spikes, and unhealthy air pollution levels in the region. Malaysians and Singaporeans have expressed their frustration online, comparing skyscrapers to smog and highlighting the negative impact on health and businesses.
While Indonesia regularly battles wildfires during the dry season, the current blazes are among the most intense in over a decade, exacerbated by slash-and-burn practices for agriculture, including palm oil production. Despite regional diplomats offering assistance, the Indonesian government has not always accepted it. The issue has sparked protests and calls for accountability and immediate action from Indonesian politicians and neighbors.
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