Singapore names 7 firms over Indonesia toxic haze
Singapore has said it would issue warnings to seven companies in Indonesia it identified as responsible for fires that have sent toxic smoke across Southeast Asia.
Singapore has identified seven Indonesian firms responsible for the toxic haze hovering over the city-state for months. Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu revealed that the haze originated from fires on lands owned by these companies in Indonesia's Sumatra island. The city-state has issued preventative notices to the companies, instructing them to deploy fire-fighting teams, halt burning activities and submit action plans to Singapore's National Environmental Agency.
Fu suggested that legal measures such as fines or charges could be employed to ensure compliance. Four individuals have died fighting the blazes on Indonesia's Java island, while others have suffered serious burns and are receiving further medical treatment. Schools have been closed, and there has been a surge in respiratory complaints and growing frustration regarding the situation's containment.
Singapore has ranked among the world's most polluted major cities, with air quality indexes indicating very unhealthy levels. Despite the challenges, Singapore remains prepared for the haze to persist for an extended period, depending on weather conditions.
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