Skip linksSkip to Content
play
Live
Navigation menu
  • News
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • US & Canada
    • Latin America
    • Europe
    • Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
  • Explained
  • Opinion
  • Sport
  • Video
    • Features
    • Economy
    • Human Rights
    • Climate Crisis
    • Investigations
    • Interactives
    • In Pictures
    • Science & Technology
    • Podcasts
play
Live

In Pictures

Gallery

Singapore’s dangerous pollution problem

A dense haze has blanketed the city-state with officials blaming neighbouring Indonesia’s slash-and-burn agriculture.

Two lifeguards wear masks at a swimming pool on the top floor of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel as haze hits Singapore. 
By Rita Alvarez Tudela
Published On 20 Jun 201320 Jun 2013
facebooktwitterwhatsappcopylink

Singapore – Singapore’s air pollution has reached record hazardous levels, with the city-state blaming neighbouring Indonesia for allowing illegal slash-and-burn agriculture to go unabated. 

The Standard Pollution Index climbed to 290 recently and on Wednesday it shot up to 371 – creating dangerous conditions, especially for those with respiratory ailments. A PSI reading above 300 indicates “hazardous” air, while a reading between 201 and 300 means “very unhealthy”.

Singapore says the smoke came from forest fires on Indonesia’s Sumatra island and enshrouded its 5.3 million people in a dense smog. The last time when the PSI surpassed the 200 level was back in 1997.

Indonesia, meanwhile, responded angrily to the accusations, saying Singapore was “behaving like a child”. 

Singapore says the fires were caused by Indonesian logging companies illegally setting fire to their waste. Singapore’s Foreign Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam emphasised the urgency of the situation and offered to help fight fires in Indonesia.

“Cooperation could be further strengthened to tackle the haze problem and … [Indonesian] officials could discuss with their Singapore counterparts ways to better cooperate and deal with the haze issue,” Singapore’s government said in a statement.

The illegal forest burning on Indonesia’s Sumatra, to the west of Singapore and Malaysia, to clear land for palm oil plantations is an annual problem, particularly during the June to September dry season.

Singapore says the smoke came from forest fires on Indonesia(***)s Sumatra island.
Advertisement
Singapore(***)s pollutant standard index (PSI) reached an all time high - 371 parts per million, which is considered hazardous.
Hotel employees try to protect themselves from the pollution.  
Singapore says haze from slash-and-burn forestry practices in Indonesia cause the annual problem for its 5.3 million people. 
Indonesia has responded angrily to Singapore(***)s accusations, saying it was "behaving like a child". 
A view of the haze from Singapore(***)s Marina Bay.
Advertisement
Smog has a seriouis effect on Singapore(***)s tourism and daily city operations.
A man in Singapore wears a mask at a bus stop with the city blanketed in smoke. 
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the haze could "easily last for several weeks".
Singaporean authorities have urged Indonesia to fight the fires and take legal action against companies involved. 


    • About Us
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms and Conditions
    • EU/EEA Regulatory Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Sitemap
    • Work for us
    • Contact Us
    • User Accounts Help
    • Advertise with us
    • Stay Connected
    • Newsletters
    • Channel Finder
    • TV Schedule
    • Podcasts
    • Submit a Tip
    • Al Jazeera Arabic
    • Al Jazeera English
    • Al Jazeera Investigative Unit
    • Al Jazeera Mubasher
    • Al Jazeera Documentary
    • Al Jazeera Balkans
    • AJ+
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
    • Al Jazeera Media Institute
    • Learn Arabic
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights
    • Al Jazeera Forum
    • Al Jazeera Hotel Partners

Follow Al Jazeera English:

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • instagram-colored-outline
  • rss
Al Jazeera Media Network logo
© 2025 Al Jazeera Media Network