Fewer hotspots, but haze an 'ongoing issue' for Singaporeans: Masagos

SINGAPORE — There are fewer hotspots in Indonesia this month compared to the same time last year, but the haze situation should be an ongoing issue embedded in people's minds, and consumers should not support companies whose practices contribute to the haze situation, said Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli on Saturday (Aug 27).

Yesterday, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) entered the unhealthy range for the first time this year, as westerly winds blew haze from Sumatra to Singapore. Eleven hotspots were detected in Sumatra. 

Between Aug 17 and Aug 31 last year, there were 1,237 hotspots in Sumatra. 

Continuing to ensure that the issue of haze is not something Singaporeans "forget and then only bring it up periodically" has been something he sought to do since he took over at the ministry last year, said Mr Masagos, who was speaking to reporters at a community event in Tampines. "So we have been attacking this on many fronts-- internationally, regionally and also to raise the awareness among our own country and citizens."

Singaporeans, he said, "do not want the haze to come", but on the other hand, they should not be buying and support companies that produce products in an unsustainable way. 

Yesterday, the chief executive officer of the National Environment Agency (NEA) wrote to his Indonesian counterpart to register Singapore's concerns over additional episodes of deterioration in air quality in Singapore, should fires continue. 

Asked about this, Mr Masagos said the Government is still waiting for the Indonesian side to respond. "Like I said, we are very happy they are taking up steps to try and remove the hotspots but what we like to see is no hotspots and therefore no haze," he added. 

Asked whether Singapore will be sending any aid to fight fires in Indonesia, Mr Masagos said there is a mechanism for aid to be given. "We are always standing ready... it is up to the Indonesians to activate it, when the (level) requires it, we will be there to help," he added.

The latest 24-hour PSI reading as of 6pm was between 70 and 126. 

In an advisory issued at 11am, the NEA said conditions have improved this morning, but hazy conditions will remain today. 

The latest satellite image showed that hotspots with haze are still persisting in central Sumatra. "The prevailing winds are forecast to blow from the southwest in the evening which could then bring an improvement to the haze situation," the NEA said. 

The 1-hour PM2.5 concentration over the next 12 hours is expected to fluctuate between Band I (Normal) and Band II (Elevated). Overall, the PSI reading for the next 12 hours is forecast to be in the high end of the Moderate range or low end of the Unhealthy range, the NEA said.