Barium combustion in Indonesia 20 13 June

A recent forest fire in Sumatra, Indonesia, caused the most serious haze in Singapore and Malaysia.

18 From June to the end of June, both Singapore and Malaysia suffered the worst air pollution since June 1997. In Singapore, the air pollution index exceeds 400 (when the air pollution index is above 300, it is serious pollution); In two areas of Malaysia, Ledang and Mapo, the air pollution index is as high as 750. After investigation by various governments, it was found that this sudden air pollution was caused by a large amount of smoke produced by the fire in Sumatra, Indonesia, which was caused by illegal burning of forests by the oil palm industry.

The air quality in Singapore deteriorated from 19 to 10 that night, and the air pollution index reached 320, breaking the country's historical record.

According to Agence France-Presse, the air pollution index (PSI) of 2 1 in Singapore exceeds 400, which means that the current air conditions in Singapore may cause health problems such as diseases.

Singapore's air pollution index 2 1 soared to 40 1, and more than 200 schools in southern Malaysia were closed. There are also many people in Indonesia who accuse the government of conniving at burning wasteland as "harming others and not benefiting themselves".

Singapore: Singapore's Foreign Minister Shang Mugen emphasized the urgency of the situation and Singapore's commitment to help put out the fire in a telephone conversation with his Indonesian counterpart yesterday. The two sides agreed to strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation to solve the smog problem. Wei Wen, Singapore's Minister of Environment and Water Resources, said that he had spoken with Indonesian Minister of Environment Balthasar Kambuaya, and the two sides would * * * share relevant information to improve the monitoring of hot spots and "incineration" activities, and * * * share the list of companies involved in "illegal incineration" activities.

Malaysia: Malaysia's Sin Chew Daily reported on the 20th that open burning and forest fires in Malaysia were also "accomplices" in this smoggy weather. The Malaysian Ministry of Environment recently announced that farmers in three states near Sumatra Island in Indonesia are prohibited from burning in the open air, and offenders can be sentenced to up to five years in prison.

Indonesia: The smog weather can't be completely blamed on Indonesia, and companies from Singapore and Malaysia investing in the palm oil industry in Indonesia are also "responsible". In the face of accusations from Singapore and Malaysia, Indonesia's attitude this time is relatively tough. Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty said, "At present, the solution to the problem should be to cooperate to put out the fire, not to pursue responsibility and blame each other." Indonesian People's Welfare Coordinator Agung Laksono even accused Singaporeans of being "noisy like children".

China: Two ministers of China pointed out that the local air pollution index has exceeded the unhealthy level of 150, so the smog problem needs to be solved urgently. At the same time, they reiterated China's willingness to help Indonesia put out the forest fires in Sumatra. Wei Wen asked Indonesia to share information on improving hot spot supervision and incineration activities. Indonesia 2 1 promised to put out forest fires through artificial rainfall, and launched an investigation to severely punish related companies.

The environment ministers of Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia will hold a special meeting on August 20 this year to seek solutions to the haze problem.