{
  "id": 17004768,
  "title": "Oh, how we wish the haze choking South-East Asia was just fog",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/oh-how-we-wish-the-haze-choking-south-east-asia-was-just-fog",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-29T04:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comment/2026/10/29/haze-southeast-asia-indonesia-malaysia-singapore/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "After nearly two months of an oppressive haze originating from fires primarily on Borneo and Sumatra islands, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur began to witness a gradual improvement in air quality over the weekend. This respite from the hazardous air brought about by the fires, which affected approximately 300,000 people in Indonesia and caused a 260 percent increase in asthma cases in Malaysia, prompted two key realizations for the author. Firstly, the global community's limited awareness of the true nature of the haze and secondly, the insufficient media attention it has received. Fellow tennis players, who had been absent for weeks due to the haze, acknowledged that if this situation had occurred in Western Europe, it would have garnered widespread international concern, much like the recent wildfires in Greece and California.\n\nA common misconception among those unaware of the situation is whether the haze is akin to heavy fog. However, this is far from the truth. The fires burn through forests and peatlands, smoldering and reigniting for months, generating a dense, toxic smoke that authorities in Indonesia have resorted to providing oxygen tank-equipped buses to regions in Borneo. Pictures from these areas often depict a landscape resembling a barren, orange-hued wasteland, with residents reporting that even breathing feels akin to smoking a cigarette.\n\nThe impact of the haze on daily life in Malaysia and Singapore is severe, with prevailing winds carrying heavily polluted air across the cities, causing weeks of misery. The acrid smell and taste in the air, along with potential eye irritation, make it difficult to conduct outside activities. Buildings that are typically visible from balconies become obscured, schools close, and outdoor sports are halted. The haze contains large amounts of carbon monoxide and minute particulate matter, which can enter the bloodstream. Even staying indoors does not entirely protect individuals, as the filthy air finds its way into sealed rooms.\n\nThe severity of this year's haze, partly attributed to a powerful El Nino phenomenon known as \"Godzilla,\" has brought it to the forefront of international news. However, the author feels a sense of detachment when reading Western reports on the issue, attributing it to a perceived lack of personal connection. Additionally, the term \"seasonal\" used to describe the haze is misleading, as it is not a natural occurrence but rather a man-made disaster resulting from the draining of peatlands for cash crops and slash-and-burn agricultural practices. These illegal practices are attractive to farmers due to their low cost compared to other methods.\n\nDespite efforts by the Indonesian authorities to address the issue, such as suspending operating licenses for 26 companies involved in the wildfires and President Prabowo Subianto's labeling of deliberate burning as \"ecological terrorism,\" enforcement remains a significant challenge in a vast and developing nation. The differing viewpoints between affected countries, including Malaysia and Singapore, and Indonesian officials' reluctance to accept responsibility, further complicate the situation. The haze is not only a regional issue but also has global implications, potentially contributing to global warming through the release of hundreds of millions of tonnes of carbon stored in peatlands.",
  "summary": "At last, over the weekend, the “haze” began to subside over Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, where I live. For nearly two months, the noxious air emanating from fires, mainly on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, had caused about 300,000 to suffer respiratory illness in Indonesia and led to a 260 per cent surge in asthma cases in Malaysia. As this blight on daily life lifted in parts of the region,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}