TEMPO.CO, Singapore - Singaporean and Malaysian officials have urged Indonesia to resolve forest fire issue in Riau that affects their countries, as air pollution level in Singapore has worsened since Monday.
Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) reported that the Pollution Standard Index (PSI) in the country has reached its peak at 111, which decreased to 80 several hours later.
Last year, the PSI in Singapore and Malaysia reached the highest level and forced their citizens to use masks. Both countries' economy collapsed and suffered from losses, forcing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) to apologize to the neighboring countries.
Last month, Singapore ratified a bill draft granting the government a power to penalize companies for causing pollutions in the country. The regulation is to be enforced to companies outside of Singapore, but it has yet been approved by the government.
RINDU P. HESTYA | MY SINCHEW