{
  "id": 14943969,
  "title": "‘Clean air is not a favour’: Indonesia’s neighbours fed up with acrid haze as Singapore threatens to prosecute",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/clean-air-is-not-a-favour-indonesias-neighbours-fed-up-with-acrid-14943969",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-16T10:51:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/16/singapore-threatens-prosecute-indonesia-fires-toxic-haze-smoke"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Millions of people are suffering from the acrid haze caused by wildfires in Indonesia, leading to school closures, respiratory illnesses and diplomatic tensions. Singapore is threatening to prosecute companies responsible for some of the worst fires, as the region grows increasingly frustrated with the persistent smoke that affects its air quality as well. Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is distributing masks and working with regional countries to address the issue, while exploring joint action against the responsible companies. The smoke from the intense fires has drifted into nearby Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, and Vietnam, causing sky-high air pollution indexes and school closures. Malaysians and Singaporeans are sharing images of their cities disappearing into the smog and expressing their frustration. Veterans of Malaysian politics have called for real enforcement and punishment of the responsible parties, while Indonesian officials have dismissed criticism and refused assistance. The Indonesian government has been accused of failing to take decisive action, and civil society groups are pushing for a national disaster declaration to unlock funds and help thousands with medical expenses.",
  "summary": "Millions affected by smoke from wildfires as schools close, respiratory illnesses soar and diplomatic tensions rise 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…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Guardian Health",
        "title": "‘Clean air is not a favour’: Indonesia’s neighbours fed up with acrid haze as Singapore threatens to prosecute",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/clean-air-is-not-a-favour-indonesias-neighbours-fed-up-with-acrid",
        "published": "2026-10-16T08:34:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Fortune",
        "title": "Indonesia’s Danantara pledges $5 billion to home-grown companies as MSCI once again threatens a downgrade",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/indonesias-danantara-pledges-5-billion-to-home-grown-companies-as",
        "published": "2026-10-16T12:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}