Singapore braces for prolonged haze as mask vending machines set to go fully operational, schools consider remote learning
Air quality in Singapore has remained in the very unhealthy band for 12 consecutive days, with PSI readings reaching 221 in the west and 24‑hour values of 221 in the central region. The government has begun a phased rollout of N95 masks and announced that mask vending machines will be fully operational by Friday night, after about 10% of eligible residents have collected masks. Education Minister Desmond Lee said O‑Level examinations might be rescheduled if hazardous levels persist, while preschools stay open.
East Timor has suspended in‑person schooling for three days, and Indonesia has deployed more than 69,000 personnel, is testing chemical suppressants and a carbon‑dioxide snow operation to curb the fires that are driving the haze. Singapore has pledged assistance to Indonesia and is preparing air‑conditioned shelters as the haze is expected to linger.
How this was covered
- Left-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
Why it matters
The ongoing haze threatens public health, disrupts education and daily activities, and highlights regional challenges in managing transboundary pollution.
How this story developed
- Sep 27 Sumatra forest fires blamed for worsening haze over Johor and nearby regions
- Sep 28 A coalition of civil society and indigenous groups has filed a class-action lawsuit accusing the Indonesian government of failing to prevent massive forest and peatland fires in West Kalimantan.
- Oct 5 The Department of Environment reported that Malaysia contributed only about 3% of fire hotspots detected by satellite in southern Southeast Asia, with most occurring in Indonesia's Kalimantan and Sumatra.
- Oct 8 Prime Minister Anwar said the worsening haze is a serious health risk and has asked President Prabowo to take action, while Malaysia ramps up cloud seeding.
- Oct 10 Kuala Lumpur and Singapore now record AQI levels that place them among the world’s most polluted major cities.
- Oct 10 The class‑action suit moved to a hearing in Pontianak, where no defendants were present.
- Oct 13 Updated satellite data reveal further growth in Sumatra's fire hotspots.
- Oct 15 The government, led by Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu, is gathering evidence and keeping legal options open as PSI levels in western Singapore entered the very unhealthy range. The 2014 law allows fines up to S$100,000 per day, capped at S$2 million, for companies whose fires produce prolonged haze. Enforcement has been challenging, with limited data from Indonesian authorities and four firms still under investigation. Fu also urged Indonesia to curb the fires and called for ASEAN cooperation.
- Oct 15 Singapore’s health ministry announced subsidies limiting out‑of‑pocket costs for haze‑related illnesses.
- Oct 16 President Prabowo appointed army general Kristomei Sianturi to lead BNPB.
- Oct 16 Indonesia formally accepted regional assistance and technical talks on its implementation are underway.
- Oct 16 Legal notices were served on seven Indonesian firms for their role in the haze.
- Oct 16 Mask vending machines slated to be fully operational by Friday night
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