Channel NewsAsia 10 Mar 14;
SINGAPORE: Singapore continues to experience slightly hazy conditions as the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) crossed into the moderate range late on Monday afternoon.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) says that the condition is expected to gradually improve during the night.
Although the 3-hour PSI reading remained at a good level for most of the day, it crossed into the moderate range at 4pm when it reached 51.
At 7pm, it hit 58, before dropping to 53 two hours later.
NEA said that the haze may be attributed to hotspots to the north of Singapore.
A total of 86 hotspots were detected in peninsular Malaysia and 228 in Sumatra on Monday.
The occasional slight haze can be expected if the hotspots in the surrounding region persist.
The weather is expected to be fair and warm for the next few days.
NEA said that at the current PSI and PM2.5 levels, most people can continue with normal activities.
Those not feeling well, especially the elderly, pregnant women and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, should seek medical attention.
MPs question measures to combat haze as hot spots persist
Neo Chai Chin AND Woo Sian Boon Today Online 11 Mar 14;
SINGAPORE — Transboundary haze, anti-dengue measures and public cleanliness formed the bulk of questions posed by Members of Parliament to the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources yesterday.
Their questions at the start of the ministry’s Committee of Supply debate — which will continue today with Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s response — came as the air quality remained in the moderate range for much of yesterday and a deterioration in conditions in some parts of the island occurred in the late afternoon. The three-hour Pollutant Standards Index was 58 at 8pm.
The National Environment Agency said 86 hot spots were detected in Peninsular Malaysia and 228 in Sumatra yesterday, and that the occasional slight haze could be expected over the next few days if the hot spots in the region persist.
At least five MPs spoke about the haze, with Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (Nee Soon GRC) asking about the “stalemate” on the haze monitoring system for five Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries, including Singapore and Indonesia, and Mr Charles Chong (Joo Chiat) asking if the Indonesian government had indicated whether there was any involvement of Singapore companies in forest fires.
The MPs also sought an update on the effectiveness of dengue control measures, with Ms Sylvia Lim (Aljunied GRC) asking if there was satisfactory government support for the STOP Dengue research programme. Last week, 210 dengue cases were logged.
The management of hawker centres and estate cleaning also came up, with questions on the operating model of hawker centres and how the shortage of cleaners would impact cleanliness standards.
Other issues raised included water conservation and energy efficiency. NEO CHAI CHIN AND WOO SIAN BOON
- CNA/ec
MPs call for answers on haze problem
Feng Zeng Kun The Straits Times AsiaOne 13 Mar 14;
SINGAPORE - MPs were calling for answers over the haze problem yesterday, and asked for updates on plans that had been implemented to tackle the issue.
The urgency of the questions was highlighted by the slight haze that affected Singapore throughout most of yesterday, with air quality worsening from "good" to "moderate" in the evening.
Ms Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon GRC) asked during the budget debate for the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources: "What is the ministry doing to mitigate the recurrent haze problem?
"We don't want to go year after year singing the song Smoke Gets In Your Eyes."
Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (Nee Soon GRC) noted that the haze monitoring system recently adopted by 10 ASEAN countries - including Indonesia, where farmers using fire to clear land have been blamed for the haze - had stalled as "other parties" could not agree on its implementation.
"Can the minister elaborate on this stalemate?" he asked.
Several MPs and Nominated MPs praised the recently proposed law to punish companies behind fires in the region that cause haze in Singapore.
Nominated MP Nicholas Fang called it a "landmark step", while Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong said legal action against the culprits could also help consumers identify and boycott the offenders' products.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan will respond to the questions today. Other concerns raised yesterday included Singapore's record-busting dry weather, the steep rise in dengue cases last year, worsening public cleanliness and hawkers' woes, such as difficulties they may have
securing affordable table-top cleaning contractors.
"Some table-top cleaning contractors are not able to clear tables efficiently, leaving patrons frustrated and presenting public health issues," said Ms Sylvia Lim (Aljunied GRC).
Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade GRC) used the debate to highlight national water agency PUB's work in managing Singapore's water resources, especially in the light of the dry spell.
He said: "All the stresses we have seen in infrastructure, transport, health and housing, these have not appeared in water."
Ministry of the Envrionment and Water Resources
FY2014 Budget - $1.4 billion, up 13%
