PSI or AQI: Why air quality measurements in Singapore differ from other indexes

By Audrey Tan, Environment Correspondent, The Straits Times, 20 Sep 2019

The haze is back, and the National Environment Agency's (NEA) air quality monitoring network is in full gear.

As air pollution descended on Singapore over the past week, many have questioned whether the figures on the NEA's website have downplayed the severity of the haze.

Instead of relying on readings provided by the NEA, some turned to other air quality readings, such as the World Air Quality Index (AQI), which is compiled by a non-profit outfit headquartered in Beijing and uses measurements provided by affected countries.

The AQI is published online at aqicn.org

During hazy episodes over the past week, people have pointed out that while the AQI reflected unhealthy levels, the NEA's 24-hour PSI showed "moderate" air quality.

The differences in the two readings, the NEA told The Straits Times yesterday, boil down to the way the readings are calculated.

"There are no international guidelines on how air quality indices should be computed," said an NEA spokesman. "Different countries and organisations have their own indices for air quality."

The NEA provides two air quality readings - the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) and the one-hour PM2.5 readings.

Both serve different functions.

Forecasts for the 24-hour PSI should be relied on when planning future activities, such as whether one should go for a picnic the next day.

The one-hour PM2.5, on the other hand, is meant as a gauge for immediate activities, such as whether going for a jog now is the best option.

The readings hinge on the time period over which pollutants are measured.

The 24-hour PSI measures the average concentration levels of six component pollutants over the given period. These include PM10 and PM2.5 - particulate matter of different sizes - sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and carbon monoxide. As it is an average over 24 hours, the reading could remain low even if the air currently appears milky.

The one-hour PM2.5 reading, however, measures the average hourly concentration of only one of the six pollutants - PM2.5, tiny particles 30 times smaller than the diameter of a strand of human hair, small enough to be breathed deep into the lungs.

As PM2.5 is the dominant pollutant during periods of trans-boundary haze and has the most influence over the 24-hour PSI readings, it provides a good indication of the current air quality, said the NEA.

However, as Singapore has experienced over the past week, weather conditions can be fickle.

Changing wind patterns, for instance, can make skies hazy one moment and clear the next, which was what happened at the weekend.

PM Lee, President Jokowi open township project in boost to ties

Leaders open joint venture development, witness signing of tourism cooperation pact
By Francis Chan, Indonesia Bureau Chief In Semarang (Central Java), The Straits Times, 15 Nov 2016

Strong economic ties between Singapore and Indonesia got another boost yesterday as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Joko Widodo officially opened a joint venture township project and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on tourism cooperation.

The leaders held up the 2,700ha Park by the Bay township project between SembCorp Development and Indonesian developer Jababeka in Kendal, Central Java, as an excellent example of mutually beneficial economic cooperation. The township is located 25km from Semarang.

They also welcomed the signing of three other MOUs and the setting up of an Indonesia-Singapore Business Council comprising business leaders from both sides.

"This (business council) will enable our businesses to network more deeply and understand opportunities on both sides," PM Lee said and suggested that it be co-chaired by the Economic Development Board and Indonesia's Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).

The occasion was PM Lee's first Leaders' Retreat with President Joko, which is held in Indonesia this year. Yesterday morning, PM Lee and Mrs Lee were met by President Joko and First Lady Iriana at Wisma Perdamaian in Semarang, where the Singapore delegation was also treated to performances by a Chinese lion dance troupe and traditional Javanese dancers.



The retreat - held at Wisma Perdamaian, formerly the Central Java governor's residence - is a long- held tradition for the leaders of the two close neighbours to meet informally each year to boost ties.

At their meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties and to further economic cooperation between their countries.

Indonesia, PM Lee told a joint press conference with Mr Joko after the retreat, is a close partner and neighbour of Singapore.

"Our bilateral relations are in good shape, we have close interactions at all levels," he said.

"I told the President we are keen to strengthen our economic cooperation with Indonesia and we would like Indonesia to succeed."

Turning to the perennial issue of the transboundary haze, he noted that combating it was high on Mr Joko's agenda and said Singapore was "very grateful".

Indonesia's efforts in tackling the haze "made a difference this year", he added. He offered Singapore's help to deal with the problem, which he said affects all the countries in South-east Asia.

1-hour PSI: NEA creates bands to simplify PM2.5 readings

Descriptors for one-hour readings will help the public understand figures, plan activities
By Carolyn Khew, The Straits Times, 28 Jun 2016

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has introduced bands and descriptors for one-hour concentration readings of fine particles called PM2.5 to help the public make sense of the readings and plan their immediate activities.

While the agency has been publishing such one-hour readings since 2014, it is now providing breakdowns of what constitutes normal to very high levels of one-hour PM2.5 concentrations.

For instance, the range of 0 to 55 micrograms per cubic metre (mcg/m3) is described as "normal", while anything above 250 mcg/m3 will be described as "very high".

The Straits Times understands that the bands and descriptors were introduced after members of the public suggested having a guide to PM2.5 readings after last year's haze episode. Still, the bands do not state what levels are healthy or not, unlike the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI), which is used by the authorities here as the reference for health advisories.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli, who made the announcement yesterday, said there is "no strong medical study" to show the impact of short-term exposure to PM2.5 particles on one's health.

"In any case, if you are sensitive to such particles, or you have some form of ailment that makes you sensitive to such particles, consult your doctor," he added.

PM2.5 pollutants are smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter, or a 30th of the diameter of a human hair.

It is one of six pollutants, including carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide, the PSI measures. Long and regular exposure to PM2.5 is linked to higher risk of death from complications such as lung cancer or heart disease.

With the roll-out of bands and descriptors for one-hour PM2.5 readings, the three-hour PSI reading will be phased out by the year end.

Singapore's Transboundary Haze Pollution Act: Sovereignty, jurisdiction and international law

Singapore's transboundary haze pollution law is consistent with international law principles, which do permit a country's laws to have extraterritorial jurisdiction in some instances.
By S. Jayakumar and Tommy Koh, Published The Straits Times, 25 Jun 2016

In 2014, Singapore enacted the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, which came into force on Sept 25, 2014. Essentially, the Act makes it an offence for any entity to engage in conduct, or to condone conduct, causing or contributing to haze pollution in Singapore. Apart from criminal liability, the Act also creates statutory duties and civil liabilities.

The Act is unusual but not unprecedented in targeting conduct that occurs outside Singapore, and which causes or contributes to haze pollution in Singapore.

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, speaking in Parliament in August 2014, said the Act "is not intended to replace the laws and enforcement actions of other countries, but it is to complement the efforts of other countries to hold companies to account". He added that "we, in Singapore, cannot simply wait and wishfully hope that the problem will be resolved on its own. The Singapore Government would want to send a strong signal that we will not tolerate the actions of errant companies that harm our environment and put at risk the health of our citizens".

EXTRATERRITORIALITY AND INTERNATIONAL LAW

There were mixed reactions to this law in Indonesia. Some parties expressed support for Singapore's law. Others, including some Indonesian ministers, criticised the law on the grounds that it was a violation of Indonesia's sovereignty. A typical comment was: "As it happened in Indonesia, it is part of Indonesia's jurisdiction. If Singapore could easily try Indonesian citizens, it could be a violation of Indonesia's sovereignty."

The Singapore Government responded that the law was consistent with international law. It was drafted with the advice of international law experts and did not violate the sovereignty of any country.

The issue is whether it is permissible for a country to enact legislation that would have extraterritorial reach. The answer to this question turns on a proper understanding of the established principles of international law.

Haze: Indonesia won’t allow Singapore to act against its citizens

Singapore targeting private firms linked to Indonesian fires, not national sovereignty: MEWR
Ministry says use of transboundary haze law aimed at preventing recurrence of crisis
By Francis Chan, Indonesia Bureau Chief In Jakarta, The Straits Times, 16 Jun 2016

Singapore's move to go after companies linked to fires in Indonesia that led to last year's haze is not an issue of sovereignty or national dignity, said a Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) spokesman yesterday.

The ministry said its actions under the country's Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) was aimed at deterring and prosecuting entities that are responsible for transboundary haze pollution.

"The THPA was drafted with advice from experts in international law and complies with international law," added the spokesman. "It is not directed at any individual nor company based on nationality."

MEWR was responding to comments in recent days by Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla as well as the country's Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar about Singapore's decision to take court action against an Indonesian company director via the THPA.

Mr Kalla said that Singapore cannot take action against its citizens responsible for last year's forest fires, while Ms Siti accused the Republic of not exercising "mutual respect" by invoking the THPA.

She said the Asean agreement on transboundary haze pollution is a multilateral one, and not a bilateral pact between Singapore and Indonesia. As such, "Singapore cannot step further into Indonesia's legal domain", she added.

Ms Siti also said the THPA remains a "controversial" law that is still being debated among Asean officials from Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

That is why she feels that Singapore's action under the law against errant firms in her country is not a show of "mutual respect".

MEWR, however, said the key driver of the recurring transboundary haze is commercial. It said companies' blatant disregard for the environmental and social consequences of the haze, which affects millions of people in the region, should not go unchecked.

"The phenomenal amount of greenhouse gases also emitted during the burning of peatland will have a profound effect on climate change that the world is battling to slow," said the spokesman.

"This is therefore not an issue of sovereignty or national dignity."

Indonesia needs to stop acting as a “big brother”: Johannes Nugroho

High time Jakarta treats Singapore and other South-east Asian countries as equals
By Johannes Nugroho, Published TODAY, 22 May 2016

Tensions between Indonesia and Singapore are simmering as a kerfuffle is developing over the decision by a Singaporean court to grant a warrant to the National Environment Agency (NEA) for an Indonesian businessman suspected of involvement in last year’s forest fires. The warrant was obtained after the businessman, whose identity remains hidden, failed to turn up for an interview with the Singaporean authorities while he was in the city-state.


The saga took an interesting twist as Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied its counterpart’s repeated claims that a formal complaint against the warrant had been lodged by the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore.

The reason for Indonesia’s umbrage remains unclear, although implicit in the protest was the notion that Singapore had tried to force Indonesia’s hand in acting against responsible parties for last year’s environmental disaster, which saw much of South-east Asia engulfed in a haze. Jakarta’s reaction suggests that it deemed Singapore to have overstepped its scope of action. By contrast, Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) felt that it had every right to prosecute those deemed responsible, based on the 2014 Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.

To be fair, Singapore’s move was both logical and laudable. However, it was an inadvertent slap in the face for the Indonesian government. Chiefly, politicians in Jakarta were worried that, if successfully pulled off, it was bound to be seen by the public as a derogation of sovereignty: that an Indonesian national could be arrested and even tried in a foreign country.

Can Southeast Asia be haze-free by 2020?

By Audrey Tan, The Straits Times, 9 May 2016

The start of the dry season in Indonesia is just around the corner and it will once again threaten the region with hazy skies.

Smoke-belching forest and peatland fires in Indonesia are the main cause of haze between June and October every year.

Normally, hot and dry weather conditions make the carbon-rich peatlands there highly flammable. The risk of fire rises when the peatlands are drained of water for oil palm and other plantations.

Last year, the fires burned harder and for longer, because of the El Nino weather phenomenon, which led to prolonged hot and dry weather in the region.

It resulted in an extended period of intense haze over parts of Indonesia and its neighbours - causing illness and death, grounding flights and closing schools. There was renewed determination to stop the haze-belching fires after that. Last October, ASEAN environment ministers set a target for the region to be haze-free by 2020. But how achievable is this?

WEATHER

It seems likely that, this year, the haze in Singapore will not be as bad as that last year. Climatologists said El Nino conditions are expected to subside in the middle of this year.

"With the El Nino conditions subsiding, the chance for anomalously hot and dry weather in Sumatra is smaller and forest fires are unlikely to be as rampant as last year," said Associate Professor Koh Tieh Yong, a weather researcher from SIM University.

El Nino is likely to be followed by La Nina, which induces fire-dousing rain in this part of the world.

So the weather may be on our side this year, but what about next year, the year after that, and in 2020 and beyond?

Zero chance of haze like last year in region, says Indonesian official

‘Much fewer hotspots’ promised, with peatland restoration, other actions to prevent fires
By Neo Chai Chin, TODAY, 16 Apr 2016

There is “zero chance” that any haze this year will be as severe as last year’s episode — where air quality hit hazardous levels and forced the closure of schools in Singapore and in the region — the head of an Indonesian agency recently set up to restore degraded peatland has boldly promised.

Acknowledging that fire prevention had not been a focus previously, Mr Nazir Foead, who was making his first overseas speech since taking the reins at the Peatland Restoration Agency, said “we are not in the denial stage anymore, we’re in the stage of correcting the mistakes of the past”.

“There will be hotspots, I cannot deny,” he added. “There will be fires, but the scale of the fires that create haze that choke the Indonesian public and our neighbours will dramatically be less.”

Mr Nazir, a former environmental activist, was addressing an audience of agroforestry and business players and non-governmental organisation representatives at the 3rd Singapore Dialogue on Sustainable World Resources organised by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs think tank on Friday (April 15). 

Asked if his prediction of less severe haze was too bold, Mr Nazir said things are very different this time round. Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Thursday issued a moratorium on new permits for oil palm plantations, and had vowed in January to sack local military and police chiefs for uncontrolled fires in their provinces, for example.

“I cannot emphasise how seriously now Indonesia is preparing actions, programmes, changing policies to prevent fires from happening,” he said, at the event held at the Ritz-Carlton, Millennia Singapore.


The scale of the disaster last year, which affected tens of millions of people and cost Indonesia up to 475 trillion rupiah and Singapore about S$700 million, shocked the Indonesian government and sparked determination to not allow history to repeat, he added.

Committee of Supply Debate 2016: MSF, MEWR, MOT

Committee of Supply debate: Ministry of Social and Family Development

KidStart: Disadvantaged kids to get help in $20m programme
1,000 children up to six years old living in five areas to be identified for three-year trial
By Priscilla Goy, The Straits Times, 13 Apr 2016

An initiative to give a leg-up to young children from disadvantaged families will be rolled out in five areas in the second half of this year.

The areas are Bukit Merah, Kreta Ayer, Boon Lay, Taman Jurong and Geylang Serai.

Some 1,000 children up to six years old will be "proactively identified" by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and organisations such as family service centres, hospitals and pre-schools, for the trial of the KidStart scheme.

They could include those who come from families with poor, young or unwed parents, or with parents who are in jail.



The Government has set aside more than $20 million for the three-year trial.

The scheme will coordinate the existing support services provided by different agencies for such children. In addition, it will extend support in areas such as health and learning, and will also monitor the children's progress.

For instance, the children may get basic immunisations and placement in pre-schools.

Their parents will also get help, such as through home visits or parent support groups, so that they can better support the children during their pre-school years and transition to primary school.

These details of the KidStart scheme, first announced by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat in his Budget speech last month, were revealed by Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin yesterday.

Said Mr Tan during the debate on his ministry's budget: "Some children, possibly because of complex family circumstances, already lag behind developmentally even in their early years... In order to help (them), we have to go upstream and provide additional support."

Parliament debate on President's Address 2016: Day 3

Tackling fault lines, through words and actions
The Straits Times, 28 Jan 2016

Minister of State for Communications and Information and Education Janil Puthucheary said Singapore's acceptance of one another, regardless of race, language or religion, can also apply to other differences. Here is an edited extract:

One Saturday in July 2015, I was at the Padang, as I had the privilege to be the reserve commander for the PAP Community Foundation's marching contingent for the National Day Parade.

Just in front of me, to my left, were three young soldiers, also on reserve duty. They were joking and poking, pushing and shoving, enjoying each other's company.

Then the music started, the first few bars of Majulah Singapura. We began to sing as we had done many times before.

But something was different that afternoon. Maybe it was the excitement of the dress rehearsal, or maybe it was just a sense of whimsy or foolishness, but these three young soldiers started to sing as loud as they could.

Whatever the reason, the aunties and uncles around me also raised their voices. In my mind's eye, the enciks behind us began to sing even louder.

So louder and louder we sang, until it was a roar full of pride (and) passion. When the last notes faded, we looked around and smiled; we all agreed we had felt something special that afternoon.

When I left the Padang, I was rushing back to my constituency for an SG50 celebration.

As the night came to an end, we were in the multi-purpose hall. I found myself standing in front of a stage filled with kids. The last song was to be Majulah Singapura. I turned around and found a small boy on the stage behind me.

"We're going to sing Majulah Singapura, are you going to sing?" I asked him.

"Yes Uncle."

"Do you know the words?" I said.

"Yes Uncle, I know all the words," he replied, full of excitement and energy.

We began to sing, he did not know the words, not at all. As the first verse finished with "Berjaya Singapura", you could hear him trying loudly to sing, but you couldn't really hear the words. He was completely out of time.

His parents began to have a worried look on their faces. I smiled at them and shrugged, it was okay, he was doing his best, a little child trying his best to sing our Majulah Singapura. Throughout this song, we heard his little voice trying harder and harder to get it right. When we finished, we all laughed and high- fived and hugged.

I have told this story many times. After a while, I began to think about how people would respond, what questions I might be asked. And there was one question that occurred to me that would be very natural in many parts of the world, and maybe would have been very natural in the Singapore of 50, 10 and perhaps five years ago. I was never asked this question.

In the six months I have been telling the story, I have never once been asked about the race of the soldiers and the little boy.

What does that say? Because it doesn't change the story. The story is about Singapore and Singaporeans, regardless of race, language or religion.

Singapore's social cohesion must not be allowed to fracture: DPM Teo

Should Singapore ever fall victim to a terror attack, trust will be the nation's greatest defence to rally together and rebuild in the aftermath, says Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean in an exclusive interview with Channel NewsAsia.
By Loke Kok Fai, Channel NewsAsia, 24 Dec 2015

As extremist terror grows increasingly globalised, no country can guarantee that it will not fall prey to attacks one day, said Acting Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

Speaking to Channel NewsAsia in an exclusive interview, Mr Teo, who is Coordinating Minister for National Security, said should an attack ever befall Singapore, the country's social cohesion must not be allowed to fracture.

"Trust is a very fragile thing. You can never take it for granted," he said. "It’s something which you have to work on all the time, every day, to make sure that where there are potential points of friction, you try and deal with them beforehand; where something actually comes up, you manage it in a constructive way."



Mr Teo added that this trust between communities in Singapore is also the nation's greatest defence, to rally together, reject the attack and rebuild in the aftermath.

"(It) provides us with a reservoir of strength and resilience should we ever face an attack," he said.

Mr Teo raised the example of pro-active steps taken by the Muslim community in Singapore to strengthen itself against the ideology of the Islamic State militant group, noting that messages of peace, social cohesion and harmony and a rejection of extremism, radicalism and violence are woven into Friday sermons at mosques across the island.

The Muslim community here promotes and practises Islam in the context of a multiracial, multi-religious society where mutual understanding and tolerance is required, he said.

"This is quite different from the context in a number of countries, with preachers coming from their countries of origin. And the tendency therefore is to preach and practice an Islam which is contextualised to their original countries, and not to the countries in which they have settled and become citizens," he stated.

"This creates a problem because we have alienation. You have young people and people from the community (who are) not quite sure how to place themselves in the (wider) community and still be observant of their faith and beliefs."

He added: "We have another situation where a number of Muslim-majority countries, where Islam has now become a major part of politics, and enters into the political competition. Then there is an opportunity also, for those who are more radical, who are more extreme to find a platform in this competition with political Islam."

Singapore pledges environmental commitment at Paris COP21 climate talks

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli pledges to reduce the country's emissions intensity as world leaders enter the second week of COP21 climate talks in Paris.
By Natalie Powell, UK Correspondent, Channel NewsAsia, 8 Dec 2015

PARIS: Singapore on Monday (Dec 7) pledged its commitment to the environment, as global environment ministers attended a second week of COP21 climate talks in Paris.

Singapore’s Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli joined a series of high-level voices and promised to reduce the country’s emissions intensity by 36 per cent from 2005 levels. The clock is ticking for a binding deal to be reached by the end of the week to stop the planet’s temperature from increasing by above 2 degrees.

“Reducing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions is not only about mitigating emissions from our industrial sectors, it can also be about protecting our forests and preventing peat land fires,” said Mr Masagos. “Peat lands are major carbon sinks. However with peat land fires caused by slash and burn practices of errant companies, they are no longer carbon sinks but a source of carbon dioxide emissions.”

Posted by Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) on Monday, December 7, 2015

Some studies have estimated that fires in Southeast Asia have released more than a gigatonne of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere just this year, and it is something that has become a major concern for campaigners.

* Historic climate change deal agreed at COP21

“Recently the massive fires in Indonesia is just a huge ecological catastrophe, both in terms of the biodiversity but also for our planet because a lot of the forests are on peat land and sending up a huge amount of carbon,” explained Campaign Against Climate Change’s campaigns coordinator Claire James. “So as well as thinking about long-term targets, we need real practical steps of shifting things now, building the right kind of infrastructure for clean energy.”

The message from most countries attending the summit in Paris was that there is a difficult task ahead, but now is the time to take action.

Haze Subsidy Scheme to cease from 23 November 2015

By Kok Xing Hui, The Straits Times, 17 Nov 2015

There will be no more subsidies for haze-related conditions from Monday.

As conditions have improved and the National Environment Agency has advised that the likelihood of transboundary smoke remains low for the rest of the year, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will cease the Haze Subsidy Scheme with effect from Nov 23.

Air quality was in the good range yesterday, with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index standing at 30 to 39 at 6pm.

The Haze Subsidy Scheme was reactivated on Sept 16 to give children, the elderly and lower- and middle-income Singaporeans access to treatment for haze-related conditions. These include asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, conjunctivitis and upper respiratory tract infections.

Under the scheme, pioneers pay only $5 and other eligible Singaporeans pay $10 at participating clinics and polyclinics for haze-related conditions. Public assistance cardholders enjoy fully subsidised care.

The ministry estimated that about 50,000 benefited from the scheme. More than 630 general-practitioner (GP) clinics participated in it this time round.

On Sunday, the NEA said an increase in rain showers over the past two weeks signalled the end of the traditional dry season. It is expecting more rain in the coming weeks with the onset of the north-east monsoon next month.

The last time the scheme kicked in was in 2013, when close to $500,000 in government subsidies was provided for more than 17,000 haze-related attendances at GP clinics and polyclinics.

Haze crisis a man-made tragedy: Vivian Balakrishnan

He stresses need to boost global and regional cooperation to exert effective pressure on errant firms
By Wong Siew Ying, The Straits Times, 4 Nov 2015

The haze problem was described as a man-made tragedy, a crime and vandalism by Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Tuesday (Nov 3).

* Winds caused haze problem, says Jusuf Kalla

Speaking at the Responsible Business Forum on Sustainable Development, he stressed the need to intensify regional and international cooperation to exert "effective legal and commercial pressure" on the handful of firms involved in starting fires to clear land in Indonesia.



"This is not a natural disaster. This is a deliberate, man-made tragedy, vandalism against society, against the environment, and ultimately, against ourselves," he said at the forum at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

The Singapore Government was reviewing its procurement practices to see how it can support companies that have instituted sustainable practices, he added yesterday. "This will take into account the practices not just of that particular company, but of your suppliers in your chain."

The Government expects firms to be transparent about supply chains, particularly those in the oil, palm oil and forestry sectors, he said. Other private-sector firms are urged to likewise practise "sustainable procurement". The thick haze has sparked demand for responsible and sustainable business practices, he added.

In September, Singapore wielded the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, serving "preventive measure notices" on four Indonesian firms: PT Rimba Hutani Mas, PT Sebangun Bumi Andalas Wood Industries, PT Bumi Sriwijaya Sentosa and PT Wachyuni Mandira.

Investigations indicated that fires on lands held via concessions under the four firms may have contributed to the haze.

What consumers need to know about palm oil

People cannot make informed buying decisions unless products that contain palm oil are labelled as such
By Jessica Lim, Consumer Correspondent, The Straits Times, 29 Oct 2015

Choked by the haze and as the Pollutant Standards Index climbed to as high as 300, some members of the public called for a boycott of palm oil products. Errant oil palm plantation owners set fire to adjacent forests to open up new land for cultivation.

Some also do this to clear their plantations after a crop cycle.

According to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), a recognised palm oil certification body, of the many fires that happened in Indonesia last month, 1,400 were within oil palm plantations.

To prod shoppers into action, global body Consumers International, a not-for-profit company based in Britain, last week called for people to stop buying items made by firms contributing to the forest fires in Indonesia.

A Straits Times street poll this month seemed to show that consumers - half of the 50 surveyed - would stop buying products from firms contributing to the haze.

But first, they need to know how.

Moral need to act decisively on haze, says Ng Eng Hen

Defence Minister points out that man-made disaster has affected health of thousands of Indonesians
By Francis Chan, Indonesia Bureau Chief In Jakarta, The Sunday Times, 25 Oct 2015

The strongest motivation to resolve this year's transboundary haze crisis - statistically proven to be the worst in a decade - must be a moral one, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen has said.

And those who own or use the land for commercial purposes must bear responsibility for the fires raging over them, Dr Ng added yesterday, as he welcomed the Singapore firefighting assistance team that returned home after a two-week mission to Indonesia.

"The haze has impacted the lives of millions of residents in our region in many ways. Schools have closed and the volume of business has dropped. Tourist arrivals will plummet if this becomes a chronic issue," Dr Ng wrote in a Facebook post.

"But to me, the strongest motivation to deal with the haze for Indonesia must be a moral one - the health of hundreds of thousands of their own citizens are affected by this man-made disaster as they breathe in high levels of pollutants. These are strong reasons to act decisively."

Yesterday, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan told The Sunday Times that the government plans to claw back concessions in peatlands that have not been cultivated, to prevent companies from using the slash-and-burn method to clear land.

The move is seen as a strong indication that Indonesia believes peatland restoration must be the focus of any efforts to end the haze crisis.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency estimates that more than 43 million people in the country are breathing in the toxic fumes from the fires.

The haze has also hit Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, forcing airports to delay or ground flights and schools to close as well.

The human costs, however, are the highest in Indonesia, where there have been unverified reports of more than 10 deaths, including babies, from lung infections.

Dr Ng said Indonesian leaders, including President Joko Widodo, have realised that what is key in preventing this environmental disaster from recurring is prevention and enforcement.

"I applaud the President's ideas and initiatives. The industrial scale of this disaster - millions of hectares burning - requires a systemic, deliberate and multi-prong response to be effective."

He added that there is no shortage of international expertise to help in the crisis.

On Oct 10, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) deployed three aircraft and a 34-strong team to Sumatra after Indonesia accepted Singapore's offer.

The SAF team was accompanied by a six-man Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

Homecoming for SAF and SCDF Firefighting Contingent
After extinguishing more than 50 hotspots and discharging more than 400,000 litres of water within the last 2 weeks, 34 personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the six-man Disaster Assistance and Relief Team (DART) of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) finally reunite with their families.The Singapore ArmyThe Republic of Singapore Air Force
Posted by cyberpioneer on Saturday, October 24, 2015

"The Indonesian authorities accepted help from various countries, including Singapore, to deal with the haze for an initial two-week period," said Dr Ng.

"With the two-week period concluded, our SAF and SCDF personnel returned home today.

"This is the worst haze situation to affect this region in a decade. Our deepest thanks to our men and women who overcame difficult conditions on this mission to put out hot spots and help the surrounding villages."

Indonesia: Singapore’s one-plane offer to help fight fires ‘insulting’

TODAY, 21 Oct 2015

Singapore’s offer in September of only “one aircraft” to Indonesia to help fight forest fires that have caused thick haze to descend around the region was “insulting”, said Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.

Speaking in an interview last Friday (Oct 16) with the country’s Tempo magazine, Mr Luhut defended Indonesia’s perceived tardiness in putting out the fires and in accepting foreign aid.

“During the dry season, peatlands tend to be very flammable. When we bombard the land with water to put out the flames, they just come out again. So I get a headache when people get upset. What are we supposed to do?” he replied when asked why this year’s forest fires are worse than those of last year’s.

“Then someone asks why we didn’t accept the assistance offered earlier. There are many reasons for that. Firstly, we wanted to try and do it on our own. Secondly, we didn’t realise the process would be so long. Thirdly, Singapore offered only one aircraft. It was insulting.”

http://tdy.sg/1LLtlqO - Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan hits out at Singapore's assistance in fighting the fires.
Posted by TODAY on Wednesday, October 21, 2015

In September, Singapore offered a C-130 aircraft for cloud-seeding operations, a Chinook helicopter with a water bucket for aerial fire-fighting, and up to two C-130 aircraft to ferry the Singapore Civil Defence Force fire-fighting assistance team.

Mr Luhut’s comments in the latest issue of the magazine came after Indonesia finally accepted help from Singapore on Oct 7 after repeatedly ­declining offers of help for weeks. Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen had even flown to Jakarta at the end of September to meet his Indonesian counterpart at one of the meetings. During his visit, Dr Ng also met Mr Luhut.

On October 11, aircraft from Singapore and Malaysia began water-bombing missions to put out the raging fires in South Sumatra.

Singapore sent a Republic of Singapore Armed Forces (RSAF) Chinook helicopter with a 5,000-litre heli-bucket and 34 SAF personnel to help fight the ongoing forest fires, together with a six-man Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team from the Singapore Civil Defence Force. Two RSAF C-130 aircraft were also deployed to transport SAF and SCDF personnel.

In an interview on Oct 7, Indonesian Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung told CNN Indonesia that Jakarta had earlier rejected Singapore’s offers of assistance because it was concerned that the city state would claim credit for solving the problem, despite being worried about the rapidly deteriorating situation.

Over 40,000 get haze subsidies for treatment

Figure is already more than double the number who received such subsidies in 2013
By Salma Khalik, Senior Health Correspondent, The Straits Times, 17 Oct 2015

More than 40,000 people have received haze subsidies for treatment from polyclinics and private GPs for medical conditions excacerbated by the polluted air.

This is already more than double the total number who received such subsidies in 2013 when Singapore experienced its worst haze in recent years.

The subsidy from the Ministry of Health (MOH) is for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and upper respiratory tract infections.

Patients who qualify include children aged 18 years and younger, holders of the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) card and those on public assistance.

They pay $10 for consultation and medicine, with the Ministry of Health (MOH) paying the rest of the bill which would typically range from $20 to $80, depending on the condition and medicine needed.

Singaporeans who earned $1,800 or less a month over the past six months are also entitled to the subsidy by making a self-declaration of their income on an official form which participating clinics have.

In 2013, the previous time Singapore experienced severe haze, more than 17,000 people received the subsidy, costing the MOH about $500,000.

This time, a new group of 450,000 pioneers are entitled to an even higher subsidy, as they need to pay only $5 for treatment and medicine.

Challenging times for Singapore-Indonesia ties

Issues around bad air, airspace and assets continue to trouble relationship between South-east Asian neighbours
By Barry Desker, Published The Straits Times, 14 Oct 2015

The haze enveloping Singapore today highlights the significance of our bilateral relationship with Indonesia. Just as we cannot escape the devastating impact on our health of "slash-and-burn" techniques to clear forested land in Sumatra for oil palm plantations, as neighbours, emerging trends in Indonesia will have an impact on Singapore.

Generally excellent bilateral ties during the years when President Suharto led Indonesia from 1967 to 1998 have been followed by more challenging interactions as Singapore adjusted to the rise of populist democracy in Indonesia. There has been a sharp increase in bilateral exchanges over the years, both at the political and business levels, as well as a rise in tourism, increasing student and community exchanges, together with Singapore's emergence as a major investor in Indonesia and growing bilateral trade.

Behind-The-Scenes: Firefighting at Ground Zero, South Sumatra
The combined Singapore Armed Forces and Singapore Civil Defence Force assistance team persevered under challenging conditions to put out fires and reduce the hot spots in South Sumatra, Indonesia. The team’s morale was boosted when Governor of South Sumatra Alex Noerdin visited them on 13 Oct and thanked them for their efforts. Water-bombing operations which commenced on 11 Oct continue.The Singapore ArmyThe Republic of Singapore Air ForceSingapore Civil Defence Force
Posted by cyberpioneer on Thursday, October 15, 2015

But there are undercurrents which should not be ignored. As hotly contested regional elections are set to take place in Indonesia in December, there is a risk that Singapore will be a target of criticism in provincial and district (kabupaten) electoral campaigns in Sumatra, especially in areas where power holders have worked well with Singapore, such as in Riau and Jambi. Their critics will charge that these incumbents are willing to subordinate Indonesia's interests to the lure of Singapore's cash and benefits. A younger generation of Internet-savvy Indonesians are also likely to take nationalistic postures and criticism of Singapore risks going viral.

A recurrent theme in our bilateral relationship has been the mix of envy, fear and suspicion in the minds of some quarters in Indonesia, which has coloured their perceptions of Singapore. They feel that Singapore has succeeded at Indonesia's expense and that tiny Singapore should be grateful for benefiting from Indonesia.

Commenting on the haze, Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla said: "For eleven months, (Singapore and Malaysia) enjoyed nice air from Indonesia and they never thanked us. They have suffered for one month because of the haze and they get upset."

In dealing with Indonesia, we should anticipate such a "big brother" mindset, even from circles in Indonesia generally friendly towards Singapore. While former president B.J. Habibie's "little red dot" reference to Singapore in 1998 has achieved iconic status in Singapore, most Indonesians are unaware of the reference and of the original derogatory usage.

Underlying the approach of many Indonesian policymakers is the belief that Singapore has no natural resources and benefits from exploiting Indonesia.

The self-image is that of Indonesia as a pretty girl courted by everyone at the party. It is not perceived as a relationship of equals but one where Singapore is dependent on Indonesia.

Bilateral relations are challenging due to three issues: bad air or the haze; airspace and assets.

S$47 billion? Indonesia counts costs of haze

Besides financial setback, its reputation and relations with neighbours are also at risk
By Francis Chan, Indonesia Bureau Chief, The Sunday Times, 11 Oct 2015

Early estimates by the Joko Widodo administration indicate that the haze crisis could set Indonesia back by up to 475 trillion rupiah (S$47 billion) - no chump change to a government already grappling with a sliding rupiah and sluggish growth.

However, observers warned that economic pains aside, the country's global standing will also take a hit if it does not resolve the decades-old issue, caused by illegal forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra.

The blanketing haze from the fires, often burning over dry peatland, has affected millions across Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, as well as parts of the Philippines and Thailand more recently.

It has forced schools to close, flights to be delayed and major sporting events in both Singapore and Malaysia to be cancelled.

For Indonesia, more than 136,000 of its people have suffered from respiratory infections. There were also unverified reports of a few haze-related deaths, including that of a 15-year-old schoolgirl.

Researchers Tiola Javadi and David Han from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) said in a report last week that the crisis, if prolonged, could strain relations, particularly between Indonesia and its closest ASEAN neighbours, Singapore and Malaysia.

Professor Euston Quah, who has spent years researching the economic impact of the transboundary haze, agrees.

"It is too early to tell what the economic costs of this year's haze episode will be because it will probably go on until early November due to El Nino," said Prof Quah, who heads the economics division at Nanyang Technological University.

"But the cost of this crisis, whether for Indonesia, Singapore or Malaysia, will likely be the same... the only difference is that Indonesia will probably lose much of the goodwill it has with its neighbours. That has not been estimated and will emerge as a massive intangible cost to the Indonesians," he added.

The "confusing verbal exchanges between Indonesia and Singapore on the haze issue" do not help Indonesia's cause, said Mr Javadi and Mr Han. They were referring to Vice-President Jusuf Kalla, who rapped his country's neighbours for grumbling about the haze but never thanking Indonesia for the clean air they enjoy for the rest of the year.