So bro, can you give us some face or not? After all, you’re the Big Brother of Asean ( PSI 290, Haze )

Dear Indonesia,

We know you have your problems, like dealing with protesters because you decided to up fuel prices. But we hope you realise that your little neighbour here is choking to death because you’re burning another type of fuel.

Look… our Government says it can’t interfere in your domestic affairs and you obviously don’t think Asean can do much to make you do what you don’t want to do. (After all, you’re the Big Brother of Asean).

So we’d like you to hear from the people of Singapore, all four/five million of us and countless of PRs, foreign workers, including your Indonesian citizens.

The haze, or rather this unhealthy pollution, coming from your end has become way too much of us. We are watching PSI figures like we we’ve just taken a huge bet on the stock market. Even the stock market doesn’t rocket up by 100 points in an hour. So the PSI is 290 now at 10pm and reaching hazardous levels. We feel as though you’ve launched some kind of chemical warfare against us, although we know it’s really just dirty smoke. 

We’re more than willing to help with your slash-and-burn problem. So what would you like from us? $100 million worth of helicopters and fire trucks? More policemen to stop illegal de-forestation? Your civil service replaced by our squeaky clean ones? Our CPIB is quite free now that the sex-for-favours cases are out of the way.

Or you really don’t care about what we think or how we’re faring?

We’re hurt…we thought we were friends… Plenty of your politicians shop here, by the way. They even get hospitalised here. Your fabulous rich shop here although they are probably giving the Great Singapore Sale now on a miss.

Or maybe it’s even worse in Indonesia? Like in Riau? What about the capital Jakarta or anywhere the rich people stay? Is Bali affected?

Our ministers have been on the phone with you but all you can say is that some of those fire-starters are greedy capitalists based here. So give us their names and we’ll deal with them. Name them. Shame them. Boycott them. Crash their servers.

Seems our laws can’t quite reach them since they are burning in YOUR land. You have, however, our permission to do as you like with them, except take their money.

So bro, can you give us some face or not?

Take those cloud-seeding offers. Take the money. Take whatever.

We assure you we won’t think you are any weaker for accepting our aid. How can we? We’re just a little red dot after all. And maybe that’s the problem.

Sincerely
By  Bertha Henson

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Weather report from The Noose by Saputra Whyoudono

About these ads

Thank you for keeping watch over Singapore ( PSI 290 , Haze)

Republic of Singapore Navy

The PSI has reached 290 (at 9pm), and in spite of the haze, our patrol vessels are still out patrolling along Singapore Strait – one of the world’s busiest whereby thousands of merchant ships ply daily.

It is not an easy task to navigate in this condition, but for our Maritime Security Taskforce (MSTF), this is their duty and what they do on a daily basis, 24/7.

To our servicemen who have to keep watch in this challenging situation, be safe, be vigilant. Thanks for keeping our waters safe everyday, we are proud of you!

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Singapore Civil Defence Force - Singapore, Singapore
Singapore Civil Defence Force

PSI 290 or not. Call 995 during an emergency and we will still be there within seconds in your hour of need.
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The Singapore Army - Singapore, Singapore

The Singapore Army

At 9pm today, with PSI reaching 290, The Singapore Army has ceased all outfield training until further notice to ensure the well-being and safety of our Soldiers.

Since this afternoon, we have issued our Soldiers on duty with the N95 masks. Our ground Commanders have also been reminded to keep a close watch on our Soldiers.

We are closely monitoring the situation and will take additional precautionary measures as necessary.
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More Reference :  cyberpioneer

Look at the map, see where we are. If Indonesia no “hew”, even to their citizen, what can we do about the haze situation ?

    K Shanmugam Sc   (K Shanmugam Sc)

Many have commented about the haze situation, some have said – why keep talking. Why cant you do more ?

Some like Mr William Sin uses expletives ( against the PAP). I suppose for some people like Mr Sin, every occassion is an opportunity to make a political attack – doesnt seem to matter whether there is rationality in the comments.

I will ask Mr Sin – what more do you think we can and should do ?

Look at the map, see where we are.

Every country is sovereign and we cant intervene in the actions in other countries.

The burning is taking place in Indonesia.

What do you think Singapore can do about that?

Singapore has raised it with Indonesian Ministers, and over several years, we have offered technical assistance, expressed our deep distress at what is happening, and have also raised the issue internationally. The problem recurs, nevertheless.

The reality of international law, international relations must be recognised.

That is what we have been saying – in every field, our size and geography means that we are often price takers, not price makers – whether it is economics, geo politics, or the environment.

But despite that we have done well, much better than bigger countries with more resources – because we have managed to deal with most situations by anticipating them. But the haze situation is quite outside our control.

If Mr Sin or anyone else thinks we can do more about the haze that is caused by burning in Indonesia, perhaps they can tell us – but I suppose, for some, the temptation to direct expletives and use this occassion to attack the Govt and the PAP is too great . I thank those who have noted the reality of the situation, and the limitations within which we operate .

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Joint Statement By the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam today telephoned Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Marty Natalegawa to express Singapore’s concern about the worsening haze situation. Separately, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Dr Vivian Balakrishnan spoke to the Indonesian Environment Minister Prof Dr Balthasar Kambuaya to register our strong concerns.

The Singa­pore Ministers highlighted that Singapore’s PSI had breached 150 the day before, and had entered into the unhealthy zone. They emphasized the urgency of the situation while also reaffirming Singapore’s commitment to help Indonesia fight the fires in Sumatra.

Minister Balakrishnan requested that Indonesia share relevant information to improve monitoring of hotspots and land clearing activities. This had been agreed between Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand in October 2012. Both Minister Shanmugam and Minister Balakrishnan referred to the claim by an Indonesian Forestry Ministry official in the media that Malaysian and Singapore palm oil companies that had invested in Indonesia may be responsible for starting the fires in Riau. They asked Indonesia to share the names of errant companies involved in illegal burning, though primary responsibility to take legal and enforcement actions against these companies lies with Indonesia as they have clearly violated Indonesian laws within Indonesian jurisdiction.

Minister Balakrishnan also reiterated that Singapore is ready to continue collaborating with Indonesia at the provincial level to mitigate the haze problem, as agreed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the recently held Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat in April 2013.

Ministers Marty and Balthasar offered their assurances that Indonesia would address the haze problem. Minister Shanmugam and Minister Marty agreed that bilateral and regional cooperation could be further strengthened to tackle the haze problem, and that Indonesian Environment and Forestry officials could discuss with their Singapore counterparts ways to better cooperate and deal with the haze issue.. . . . .

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES
SINGAPORE
18 JUNE 2013

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** update **

S’pore leaders want firms causing haze to be named, But Indonesian official says foreign parties should not meddle in its domestic affairs

SINGAPORE — As the air quality in the Republic hovered around unhealthy levels yesterday — a day after the three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading hit a record high since 1997 — both Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan and Foreign Minister K Shanmugam called on the Indonesian authorities to name corporations responsible for the fires.

But the suggestion, which Dr Balakrishnan had also posted on Facebook, was promptly pushed back by senior Indonesian government official Sony Partono, who was quoted by Reuters as saying “foreign parties should not be interfering with our domestic affairs”.

Mr Partono added: “The most important thing is that we have attempted to control the damage resulting from the forest fires” and fire trucks had been despatched to affected areas.

The haze, which has also enveloped Malaysia, continued to shroud the Singapore skyline yesterday, with the PSI reaching as high as 134 at midnight. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong posted a photo taken from the Istana on Facebook, with the cityscape “barely visible”.

He added that Dr Balakrishnan and Mr Shanmugam have registered Singapore’s “serious concerns” and offered Indonesia help to fight the fires.

“We are all affected by the haze,” said Mr Lee. “Farmers and plantation owners in Sumatra are burning crops to clear land in the dry season, and unfortunately the winds are blowing the smoke all the way to Singapore.”

In a joint statement, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Indonesian Environment Minister Balthasar Kambuaya and Minister for Foreign Affairs Marty Natalegawa “offered their assurances that Indonesia would address the haze problem”.

The statement added that both Dr Balakrishnan and Mr Shanmugam had, in their conversations with their Indonesian counterparts, referred to the claim by Indonesian Forestry Ministry official Hadi Daryanto — which was reported in the media — that Malaysian and Singaporean palm oil companies investing in Indonesia may be responsible for starting the fires in Sumatra’s Riau province.

“(The ministers) asked Indonesia to share the names of errant companies involved in illegal burning, though primary responsibility to take legal and enforcement actions against these companies lies with Indonesia as they have clearly violated Indonesian laws within Indonesian jurisdiction,” the statement added.

Writing on Facebook, Dr Balakrishnan added that “we need to exert commercial pressure against companies causing the haze”. He also said that Singapore is waiting for Indonesia to publish concession maps which, combined with satellite images, would “enable us to pinpoint the errant companies”.

The 24-hour PSI reading at 4pm ranged from 112 to 123 for various parts of Singapore, while the PM2.5, which measures levels of fine particulate matter, was 149 to 169 microgrammes per cubic metre — concentrations prompting advice to those with heart or lung disease, as well as children and older adults, to avoid all physical activity. The National Environment Agency reported 187 hotspots detected in Sumatra yesterday, up from 113 detected on Monday.

Supporting the suggestion to name errant companies, Singapore Environment Council Executive Director Jose Raymond and Tampines GRC Member of Parliament Irene Ng said consumers could boycott products of these firms. Mr Raymond said consumers “should demand that the names of the business owners be made public” to show collective displeasure at their conduct, and “perhaps this will force them to change the way they operate”.

Nee Soon GRC MP Lee Bee Wah said the “answer to the problem” lies with the Indonesian authorities. “The ball is not in our court and we can only hope that more will be done to discourage the burning of the forest,” she said.

Some observers had suggested last year for Singapore’s pollution laws to apply to all polluters, wherever they may be located.

But Singapore Institute of International Affairs Executive Director Nicholas Fang pointed out that the Singapore authorities would need to be present on the ground to monitor the companies’ activities. Satellite technology “does not negate the need for on-the-ground surveillance, as solid evidence will be needed if offending companies are to be taken to task”, he said.

Singapore can do more to engage Indonesian provincial authorities, as it did previously in Sumatra’s Jambi province, said Mr Fang.

Meanwhile, two corporations here with palm oil plantations in Indonesia reiterated that they have a zero-burning policy.

A Golden Agri-Resources spokesperson said the company and its subsidiary PT SMART Tbk use only mechanical means such as excavators and bulldozers in land preparation and step up fire surveillance patrols during dry months.

A Wilmar International spokesperson said that, while it is committed to zero-burning, “we cannot prevent local practices of slash-and-burn for agricultural and other purposes”. “This may lead to high incidences of uncontrolled fires which inevitably spread over to our plantations. To minimise the impact of fire and haze in our operations and surrounding environment, we have a fire management programme that is based on principles of prevention and suppression,” she added.

Link : todayonline : S’pore leaders want firms causing haze to be named, But Indonesian official says foreign parties should not meddle in its domestic affairs

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‘Emergency conditions’ in Riau as PSI hit 341 on Tuesday

By Zakir Hussain Indonesia Bureau Chief In Jakarta And Jonathan Kwok, ST, Jun 19, 2013 

While the skies above Singapore cleared a little yesterday, the Pollutant Standards Index reading in the coastal city of Dumai, Riau, hit 341 at 4pm as fires continued to rage in neighbouring districts.

“The situation is very critical. These are emergency conditions,” city government spokesman Darmawan told The Straits Times.

Visibility was down to 50m in some parts, he said, adding that local officials will meet today to discuss response measures.

Streets in Dumai were near empty as many people stayed indoors, and health officials reminded residents to drink lots of water and wear masks when outside.


A main street in Dumai, Riau, at around 2pm local time on Tuesday. While the skies above Singapore cleared a little yesterday, the Pollutant Standards Index reading in the coastal city of Dumai, Riau, hit 341 at 4pm as fires continued to rage in neighbouring districts. — PHOTO: REZI ANDIKA FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

*Riau is a province of Indonesia, located in the centre and eastern coast of Sumatra along the Strait of Malacca.*

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References : 

1.   Cargill in Singapore   (link )  - We have a strict no-burn policy and confirm that there are no hot spots nor fires on our plantations in South Sumatra (PT Hindoli) and West Kalimantan (PT Harapan Sawit Lestari and PT Indo Sawit Kekal). Click here to learn more about how Cargill is committed to the sustainable production of palm oil.

2.  Reuters –   Singapore pressures Indonesia to identify firms behind haze  – Indonesia is the only ASEAN member not to have ratified a 2002 pact on preventing haze pollution.

Should SAF stop training due to haze ?

The SAF moderate training in accordance to established medical protocols. On one hand we say that in War we do not stop operations, it is a different matter to unnecessarily risk our soldiers during peacetime, especially in bad conditions.

Would any parent expect otherwise of the military?

I would counter the view that our soldiers have it easy nowadays. Creature comforts are better. We do not have the hazing and ill-treatments of yesteryear. And there’s an emphasis to explain rationale more than “just do it as I say”.

But it does not mean they are soft.

But training is still as tough and field exercises are as challenging. In fact, loads have gotten heavier but standards are still the same. It really ain’t a walk in the park. At least not for my rickety bones.

The last thing our boys need is to have people look/talk down to them after their efforts/sacrifices.

by HS

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Yes, we should train harder in peace so we can survive better in war. Honestly, I believe that.

But how many out there are willing to say that they are prepared to let their brothers/son/nephew/boyfriend/husband DIE in training?

This is a fact of life. We want to train hard, in as realistic a scenario as possible so that our soldiers are better prepared in times of war. BUT WE ARE NOT READY TO RISK OUR SOLDIERS IN PEACE BY EXPOSING THEM TO UNNECESSARY RISKS.

Every generation of soldiers would claim that their training was harder “in their time”. I have been in there for the past 17 years, and counting. What I can say is that the training has changed, methods are slightly different. But you are wrong to say that it is softer. Soldiers these days have to do more, carry more than the years before. Dun believe me? Go Google the Full Battle Order of our soldiers in the 80s with those now. Sure, most things are lighter now due to technological advances, our boots are lighter, our uniforms are lighter. But have you seen and compare our LBVs now with those of the SBOs?

Would we get 7 hours of uninterrupted rest before combat during war?

Would we cease firefights during periods where the sun is strongest?

Would we have access to frequent and constant water supply to ensure hydration during combat?

No. No. No. 

Are we ready to train under those scenarios during peace? 

No. 

Because deaths are expected in war, NOT during peace.

by CH

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Photo: #NS In response to DJ Rosalyn Lee said #SAF should not stop training due to the #hazeOverheard: Yes, we should train harder in peace so we can survive better in war. Honestly, I believe that. But how many out there are willing to say that they are prepared to let their brothers/son/nephew/boyfriend/husband DIE in training?This is a fact of life. We want to train hard, in as realistic a scenario as possible so that our soldiers are better prepared in times of war. BUT WE ARE NOT READY TO RISK OUR SOLDIERS IN PEACE BY EXPOSING THEM TO UNNECESSARY RISKS.Every generation of soldiers would claim that their training was harder "in their time". I have been in there for the past 17 years, and counting. What I can say is that the training has changed, methods are slightly different. But you are wrong to say that it is softer. Soldiers these days have to do more, carry more than the years before. Dun believe me? Go Google the Full Battle Order of our soldiers in the 80s with those now. Sure, most things are lighter now due to technological advances, our boots are lighter, our uniforms are lighter. But have you seen and compare our LBVs now with those of the SBOs?Would we get 7 hours of uninterrupted rest before combat during war? Would we cease firefights during periods where the sun is strongest?Would we have access to frequent and constant water supply to ensure hydration during combat?No. Are we ready to train under those scenarios during peace? No. Because deaths are expected in war, NOT during peace.

image from the net

Youth Dialogue session held on 25th May 2013: Do we have a future in Singapore?

Hri Kumar  (Hri Kumar)

Hi Everyone,

Here’s a summary of the Youth Dialogue session held on 25th May 2013:

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The youth dialogue session was centered on the following theme:

Do we have a future in Singapore?

Three topics were raised for discussion and are summarized below:

1. Inequalities in Education – how do we distribute educational opportunities?

- Fears were raised that inequality permeates all levels of education, starting from the pre-school a child is enrolled in.

- The tuition system further accentuates this inequality: students from more well-off backgrounds have better access to tuition.

- The participants also pointed out that the current education system may favour a certain type of student over others. For example, academically-inclined students identified at an early age in the Gifted Education Programme are allocated greater resources and funds, and have smaller classes than mainstream students. Are these discrepancies justified?

o Others rebutted that the country has limited resources and in a meritocratic system, some should be allocated these resources to ensure that returns are reaped from the resources used.

- Participants indicated that it is necessary for students to be classified and educated in ways that best suit their needs, abilities and potential.

o However, no system of classification is perfect. In deciding on one system over another, the government must make certain trade-offs.

- Some participants felt that there was a low correlation between performance in school and performance at work. Grades, while important at the entry-level, do not dictate one’s success in life. They shared empirical evidence for this in their workplaces. Balance must also be achieved between the pursuit of academic excellence and non-academic interests.

2. Cost of living – will you get married and have children in Singapore?

- The participants pointed out that a distinction had to be drawn between needs and wants. While a car is not a necessity in Singapore today, owning a car is an aspiration shared by many youth.

- The consensus reached was that the cost of housing, education and healthcare in Singapore is high, but that these costs are still somewhat manageable for the majority.

- The participants acknowledged that the government does subsidise the cost of living to cope with inflation.

o University fees, for example, are partially borne by the government.

o Similarly, healthcare subsidies are available to those who visit government hospitals.

o While these measures may be sufficient for the average Singaporean, more can and should be done to help the elderly, the disabled and the lower income group.

- With regard to marriage, some participants expressed concern about their ability raise a family and manage a career at the same time. Given the emphasis put on one’s career, it is likely that getting married and having children will take a lower priority.

- The topic of single parenthood was raised during the discussion and the following opinions were raised:

o Participants acknowledged that single parents face numerous challenges and were further disadvantaged by the lack of subsidies allocated to them.

o Some felt that their predicament was due to circumstances, and not choice. They should thus not be implicated in this way.

o However, it was acknowledged that policies need to reflect the values of the society. Participants were equally divided in their vote on extension of subsidies to single parents.

3. Immigration of foreign students & workers– to freeze or not to freeze?

- Most participants acknowledged the need for immigrants to sustain our population. In particular, foreign students do contribute certain skill sets and diversity to campuses.

- Participants raised concerns about the number of university places allocated to Singaporeans. It was opined that the large number of places allocated for foreign students has forced many Singaporean youth to seek university education at private tertiary institutions, both local and overseas.

- Some felt that priority should be accorded to Singaporeans over foreigners in terms of placement in local universities. Others were worried that universities placed undue emphasis on academic excellence in granting applicants entry.

o On the other hand, some participants raised a point that Singaporeans should not feel entitled to a spot in the local universities or be complacent– foreign students should not be viewed as a threat but seen as contributing to the competitiveness of the local universities.

o Furthermore, in order to maintain the high standards of our universities, it is necessary for the admissions criteria to be stringent.

- Some participants raised a question on the significant number of scholarships that have been awarded to foreigners and felt that these scholarships should be reduced and handed to Singaporeans

- The discussion concluded with the acknowledgement that with a limited number of university places, one needs to face the realities of the selection process

10 Common Misconceptions of the Names of Places in Singapore

Is Ang Mo Kio “ang mo kio” (tomato)? Or is Holland Village named after the Dutch community in Singapore? Are there any links between the new Chong Pang estate and the old Chong Pang Village? Let’s find out more…

1. Ang Mo Kio

Tomatoes are called “ang mo kio” (Caucasian’s brinjal) in Hokkien, which probably led to the misconception that the name of Ang Mo Kio New Town was named after the fruit. However, no tomato farms were ever recorded growing in the old Ang Mo Kio vicinity.

A more likely explanation of the name Ang Mo Kio was the bridge purportedly built by the British Government Surveyor John Turnbull Thomson (1821–1884), where the locals referred it as the “Caucasian’s bridge”. It was also said that there was not one but a total of nine bridges built along Thomson and Upper Thomson Roads, starting from the “red bridge” at Cavenagh Road and ending at the junction of Upper Thomson Road and Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1.

But for the time being, the tomato sculptures near the Ang Mo Kio Town Centre shall stay on.

tomato sculpture at ang mo kio

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For further reading , please click the link : Remember Singapore : 10 Common Misconceptions of the Names of Places in Singapore

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We need to exert commercial pressure against companies causing the haze – Mr Vivian Balakrishnan

  Lee Hsien Loong

(PM Lee Hsien Loong)

Sharing a photo of the haze taken from Istana. The city in the distance is barely visible.

We are all affected by the haze. Farmers and plantation owners in Sumatra are burning crops to clear land in the dry season, and unfortunately the winds are blowing the smoke all the way to Singapore. Ministers Vivian and Shanmugam have called their Indonesian counterparts to register our serious concerns and offer our help to fight the fires.

We are monitoring the situation closely and will stay in close touch with the Indonesian authorities. Meanwhile, please stay indoors whenever you can, especially children, seniors and those prone to respiratory problems. And do monitor NEA’s website (or use their myEnv app) for the latest updates. – LHL

Link to NEA : 
http://app2.nea.gov.sg/corporate-functions/newsroom/advisories/update-on-haze-situation-17June2013

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   Vivian Balakrishnan

(Mr Vivian Balakrishnan)

We need to exert commercial pressure against companies causing the haze.

I just spoke to Indonesian Minister Balthasar Kambuaya. Expressed our deep distress with the situation. This is the worst in 7 years – and has practically become a permanent fixture every year.

I suggested Minister Kambuaya name the companies responsible for the fires – (as I am sure consumers will know what to do).

We are also waiting for Indonesia to publish the concession maps. The combination of satellite photos, which are updated daily, and these concession maps would enable us to pin point the errant companies.

I also offered the assistance of the Singapore government – and he said he would revert after his team assesses the situation on the ground.

In the meantime, young children, seniors and people with respiratory or cardiac problems should take precautions, avoid outdoor activities and consult their doctors early if there are any symptoms. Let us continue to look out for each other.

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   K Shanmugam Sc

(Mr K Shanmugam Sc)

I spoke twice today with my Indonesian counterpart, Dr Marty Natalegawa, to register our concerns about the worsening haze situation, and that the PSI had crossed into the unhealthy range. 

I stressed to Pak Marty, the urgency of the situation and reiterated Singapore’s commitment to assist Indonesia with its fire-fighting efforts.

Pak Marty has discussed the issue with his Indonesian Cabinet colleagues to get the agencies to share information. This will help to better monitor the hotspots and land clearing activities.

We agreed that officials on both sides should meet soon to discuss how best to combat the haze issue.

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  Irene Ng

(Ms Irene Ng)

Indonesia is being quite disingenuous to try shift the blame for the haze to other countries like Singapore and Malaysia. It is up to Indonesia to prosecute commercial companies, regardless of ownership, which cause transboundary haze pollution. 

All ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, already have domestic legislation which prohibits the use of fire for forest clearance in their own countries. The local authorities must enforce it. There are currently no legal sanctions which Singapore can apply against plantation companies whose extra-territorial actions affect our local environment. 
What Singaporeans can do is to apply commercial pressure by boycotting products that come from these companies in Indonesia responsible for the land and forest fires, and to demand for products that come from sustainable sources. It should not matter the ownership of the companies. Then perhaps Indonesia will learn that we mean business.
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Health Tips for the Hazy Weather:- Drink more water to stay hydrated
- Stay indoors if possible, and use an air purifier to improve air quality
- Boost your immunity by eating more vegetables and fruits, fish and nuts
- Wash your face and hands with soap regularly
- Carry eye drops, tissues and a water bottle in your bag!Hope you find our tips useful to combat the Haze

Ministry of Education, Singapore
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