Indonesia's toxic haze is giving its neighbours a political headache
Summary
Wildfires in Indonesia’s Kalimantan, Papua and Sumatra have sent toxic haze into Singapore and Malaysia, where the pollution has caused health problems and lasted for weeks. The crisis has fueled public anger and strained ties with Indonesia, while Singapore and Indonesia have agreed to create a joint task force to address the haze.Key Facts
- The article links the fires to industrial land clearing and says severe El Niño conditions worsened drought in Indonesian forests and peatlands.
- The haze has affected people in Singapore and Malaysia, with reports of respiratory illnesses and headaches.
- In Malaysia, some residents began boycotting Indonesian products after a lawmaker urged sanctions against companies linked to the fires.
- Singapore has set up hundreds of haze shelters and is distributing masks to children, older people and other vulnerable residents.
- Singapore says it is reviewing haze laws and investigating 10 Singapore-registered companies for possible links to the fires.
- Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta, and the two countries announced a joint task force.
- Singaporean Senior Minister K. Shanmugam criticized an Indonesian official’s remarks that the fires were beyond human control and that neighboring countries benefited from oxygen produced by Indonesian forests.
- Indonesia announced it would reduce gas exports to Singapore, according to the article.
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