Haze triggers highest-level alert in parts of Southeast Asia

Toxic smoke from Indonesian fires disrupting life for millions in Singapore, Malaysia and Timor-Leste

SINGAPORE - Fires in Indonesia that have sent toxic smoke disrupting daily life across Southeast Asia has triggered the highest-level alert by the regional bloc’s meteorological monitor.

The months-long pollution spell has closed schools, fuelled a surge in respiratory conditions and restricted outdoor activities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Timor-Leste.

“This thing needs to stop,” Zul Hafiz, a 39-year-old teacher cycling from the Malaysian city of Shah Alam to the capital, told AFP on Saturday, calling on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to take action.

The 11-country organisation’s Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) said in a notice on its website on Friday that it had activated “Alert Level 3 for the Southern Asean region” — the highest rung of a four-tiered alert system.

The alert level is triggered when there is a “high risk of severe transboundary haze in the region” and is reserved for widespread moderate to dense smoke haze, observed over two or more consecutive days.

The ASMC has already issued two Level 3 alerts this year, according to its website.

Singapore ranked second on IQAir’s live ranking of the world’s most polluted major cities behind Baghdad on Saturday, with Kuala Lumpur third. All readings showed “very hazardous” levels.”

‘Irresponsible behaviour’

Indonesia said on Saturday it had been using dry ice at one of South Sumatra province’s main airports in an attempt to disperse the haze.

The country’s national disaster mitigation agency said that 2.4 tonnes of dry ice were dispersed by plane.

“The smoke not only reduces visibility and disrupts aircraft operations, but also affects residents’ health,” the agency warned.

The haze has disrupted life across Southeast Asia, sparking fresh calls for action from residents in Kuala Lumpur.

“It’s a bit unfair on Malaysia because of the irresponsible behaviour of our neighbouring country,” Khairul Azhar, a 33-year-old bank officer told AFP.

“This is affecting our weekend routine — not just for us but many Malaysians,” he said.

In Timor-Leste, unhealthy air pollution persisted on Saturday, including in the capital Dili, according to IQAir.

Authorities warned that the situation may worsen on Saturday and schools were closed.

Singapore said Friday it would issue warnings to seven companies in Indonesia it identified as responsible for the fires.

The companies named by the Singaporean government are mainly pulpwood and timber suppliers in Sumatra and include Bumi Andalas Permai, Bumi Mekar Hijau and SBA Wood Industries.

Philippines foreign department spokesman for Asean issues, Dominic Xavier Imperial, said Friday that the haze would be discussed at upcoming meetings ahead of a November Asean summit in Manila.