The latest and greatest HAZE updates and commentry

[Rogue Trader]

Re: How bad is the haze!!!! The haze is so bad.......................

At PSI 400+, you would rather smell ah neh FTs' BO.

errr .. not really.

actually I'd rather die.

 

[laksaboy]

Re: Where on earth is GAN YONG KIM, our multi-million $$$$$ Healthy Minister....

PSI = Pasai Inside, got it?

PeeSaI

No wonder Sinkieland keeps on using the PSI while other countries have moved on to better indicators of air quality.

National identity.

 

[Fishypie]

Re: Any PoLiTicaL incLination towards the Indonesian haZe ?..

How much is total cost to the Sinkapore economy on a daily basis as long as the situation persist?

JUst One Hokien Word: CHOR ! ...

 

[Confuseous]

Re: Where on earth is GAN YONG KIM, our multi-million $$$$$ Healthy Minister....

Being a small country, there is not need to do major long distance coordination in Singapore. Especially for a sudden event such as the Haze. I thought MOH is suppose to stockpile sufficient N95 Masks and the necessary PPE to counter National Health Emergencies. (The link is here stating the licensing criteria). But I suspect the stocks are located overseas and need airfreight or sea to arrive since the outbreak of Haze last week. Just imagine the new SARS like virus MERS is to strike Singapore. The leadership of our Million$ ministers are in questions.

Ministry of Health - Minister of Health - Why at PSI 400 more than half of the people in the streets are without even the simple surgical face masks?

Ministry of Manpower - Minister of Manpower - Why construction workers still working?

Ministry of Transport - Minister of Transport - Why can't your ministry coordinate a simple SMS Transit MRT break down with the LTA or Ministry of Home Affair aka the Traffic police?

http://singapore-lighthouse.blogspo...rch+(Singapore+Social+and+Political+Thoughts)

 

[halsey02]

Re: Any PoLiTicaL incLination towards the Indonesian haZe ?..

I sense Indo might need some monetary heLp yet again; from SinKieLand..

Goot Chor Tong is telling his bedtime stories he share with Bad Da Wee...neighbor mah!...kawan-ku...encik boleh pinjam USD1,000,000,000 boleh!! for the haze, boleh??

 

[Narong Wongwan]

Re: Any PoLiTicaL incLination towards the Indonesian haZe ?..

Fishy cheeby, I thot you always say no politicize anything?
Wtf you start this type political thread.....Por Li Ar Bor!

 

[KNNBCCB]

Re: How bad is the haze!!!! The haze is so bad.......................

At PSI 300+, you can't even smell ah neh FTs' BO

i still can . even at 400 +

 

[KNNBCCB]

Re: How bad is the haze!!!! The haze is so bad.......................

At PSI 400+, you would rather smell ah neh FTs' BO.

i still prefer the haze

 

[PAULSTANL3Y]

Re: what do the mozzies and the haze have in common?



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New pollution high as haze chokes Singapore


<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rtVaxL1wFq8?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>

Published on Jun 18, 2013

Dangerously high haze levels in Singapore limit outdoor activity.

Full story:

A thick haze hovering over the usually pristine city-state of Singapore is making it dangerous to go outside.

For the past 48 hours, smoke-filled skies have prompted the government to issue warnings that children, the elderly and people with lung problems should not go outdoors.

Everyone else is advised to limit their outdoor activity.

And here's what's causing it... forest fires from the neighbouring Indonesia island of Sumatra.

Although illegal, burning forests and farms is a cheap and quick way to make room for commercial plantations to grow products like palm oil.

Environmental groups say Indonesia has a history of weak forestry law enforcement and does little to curb the slash-and-burn problem.

 

[singveld]

Re: what do the mozzies and the haze have in common?

Combination photo of clear and hazy skylines of Singapore on second day of haze.

Workers clean the facade of the ArtScience Museum in the haze in Singapore

Partygoers line up to enter a nightclub at Marina Bay Sands, as haze shrouds the skyline of Singapore in the background.

 

[singveld]

Re: what do the mozzies and the haze have in common?

Every year, farmers in Indonesia clear large swaths of forest by setting deliberate slash-and-burn fires, sending clouds of smoke into the atmosphere, choking neighbors, including Malaysia and Singapore. This season has been the harshest in years -- in Singapore yesterday, the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) rose to the highest level on record, reaching 371, prompting government officials to warn residents to stay indoors, and urging the Indonesian government to take action. Indonesia accused Singapore of acting "like a child", and warned it to stay out of domestic affairs. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the haze could persist for weeks or longer, as the two nations prepare for emergency talks to ease the crisis.

A woman wears a mask as the Singapore Central Business District is covered with haze Thursday evening, June 20, 2013. Singapore urged people to remain indoors amid unprecedented levels of air pollution Thursday as a smoky haze wrought by forest fires in neighboring Indonesia worsened dramatically.

Part of Singapore, shrouded by haze on June 20, 2013. Singapore demanded "definitive" action by Indonesia on forest fires raging in Sumatra as the two neighbors prepared for emergency talks to ease the severe smog enveloping the city-state.

 

[singveld]

A man looks at a fire as it burns through a peatland forest in Rumbai Pesisir, Riau province, Indonesia, on June 20, 2013. Smog fueled by forest fires in Indonesia has caused Singapore's main measure for air pollution to surge to an all-time high and breached a "hazardous" classification that can aggravate respiratory ailments. Nearby Malaysia closed 200 schools and banned open burning in some areas.

This aerial photograph taken on June 17, 2013 shows smoke billowing from fires in areas surrounded by agricultural plantations in the area of Rokan Hilir town in Bengkalis Regency of Riau province, on Indonesia's Sumatra island, about 280 kilometers (173 miles) west of Singapore.

Firefighters spray water on the burning land in Marpoyan Damai subdistrict, in the outskirts of Pekanbaru, in Indonesia's Riau province, on June 20, 2013.

Indonesian motorists travel under a blanket of haze in Pekanbaru city, capital of Riau province on Sumatra island on June 20, 2013.

 

[singveld]

The sun rises over the Singapore Central Business District, or CBD skyline as the haze or smog envelops the city, on June 20, 2013.

Office workers cover their mouths and noses while others wear masks as they cross a road on June 20, 2013. Singapore urged people to remain indoors amid unprecedented levels of air pollution Thursday as a smoky haze wrought by forest fires in neighboring Indonesia worsened dramatically.

A group of people sit along the bay as the Garden by the Bay's domes are shrouded by haze in Singapore on June 20, 2013.

 

[singveld]

The Singapore Flyer is barely visible through thick smoke haze on June 20, 2013 in Singapore.

A sign on the counter says "All kind of face masks sold-out" at a pharmacy in Singapore, on June 20, 2013.

Cranes standing above an apartment complex under construction are visible through a heavy smoke haze in Singapore, on June 18, 2013.

A masked man walks as the sun sets among buildings covered with haze at the Singapore Central Business District, on June 20, 2013.

 

[singveld]

A couple sits on a boardwalk as they look at the haze-shrouded skyline of Singapore on June 19, 2013.

Downtown Singapore, covered in thick smoke haze on June 19, 2013.

Singapore's city skyline, shrouded by haze, on June 20, 2013.

The Singapore skyline, covered in smoke haze, on June 20, 2013.

A man looks at the hazy skyline of the Singapore business district, on June 20, 2013.

 

[tonychat]

A man looks at the hazy skyline of the Singapore business district, on June 20, 2013.

This moron is enjoying the morning fresh air.

 

[PWNED]

Re: How bad is the haze!!!! The haze is so bad.......................


Indonesia identifies eight companies which may be involved in starting forest fires

By Saifulbahri Ismail
POSTED: 21 Jun 2013 5:05 PM

This aerial photograph shows smoke billowing from fires in areas surrounded by agricultural plantations in the area of Rokan Hilir town in Bengkalis Regency of Riau province, on Indonesia's Sumatra island. (AFP PHOTO)

SINGAPORE: Indonesia has identified eight companies which may be involved in starting the forest fires in Sumatra, and it expects to name the companies within the next few days.

Indonesian Environment Minister Balthasar Kambuaya revealed this to reporters after meeting his counterpart from Singapore, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan in Jakarta on Friday. Dr Kambuaya said investigations are still ongoing and he was not able to elaborate further where these companies are from.

Dr Balakrishnan expressed his appreciation to his Indonesian counterpart that enforcement actions have been taken.

Dr Balakrishnan met Dr Kambuaya to hand a letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Dr Balakrishnan also welcomed Indonesia's commitment that further action will be taken on the ground to put out the fires within the next two days. This may include activating water bombs.

He said Indonesia has agreed to bring forward the meeting of ASEAN Ministers of Environment to address this issue of haze on a more systematic and progressive basis.

- CNA/ac

 

[PWNED]

Re: How bad is the haze!!!! The haze is so bad.......................


N95 masks run out at shops in Singapore

By Dylan Loh
POSTED: 21 Jun 2013 7:09 PM
UPDATED: 21 Jun 2013 11:27 PM

People (L) queue to buy N95 face masks at a hospital in Singapore. (AFP PHOTO / Roslan Rahman)Lines have formed at pharmacies, hospitals and clinics with people anxious to get hold of protective face masks (photo: YourNews contribution from K.Khoo)

SINGAPORE: N95 face masks used for protection against the haze in Singapore are sold out at many shops across Singapore.

Some netizens have also reported seeing masks sold for S$10, when the usual price is around S$2 or S$3.

Masks are also selling out online, owing to high demand.

The Health Ministry has urged Singaporeans to be patient, as it works with suppliers to speed up deliveries to shops.

Adrian Lo, director of Singapore Test Services, said: "The frustration is definitely there as a citizen. But I know the challenges of distribution so we just have to be patient and then hope the government intervenes and do something to spread out the availability of the masks."

Dr Ng Eng Hen, chair of the Haze Inter-Ministerial Committee, added the government will supply retail outlets with more masks and that NTUC FairPrice will get the stocks next week.

The FairPrice chain of stores said close to two million masks will be re-stocked from Monday across all its 115 outlets.

Dr Ng said: "NTUC FairPrice will cap the price of these masks, but also limit the number that each person can buy. Because when people buy more, they create more demand and artificial shortages, so they will cap the price and limit the numbers that each person can buy."

More than 1.5 million N95 masks are also on their way to being delivered to retail pharmacies.

- CNA/xq

 

[PWNED]

Re: How bad is the haze!!!! The haze is so bad.......................


CASE urges suppliers, retailers not to increase price of masks

POSTED: 21 Jun 2013 6:34 PM

Lines have formed at pharmacies, hospitals and clinics with people anxious to get hold of protective face masks (photo: YourNews contribution from K.Khoo)

SINGAPORE: The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) is urging all suppliers and retailers of face masks not to inflate prices.

It is also urging the businesses to remain transparent and stick to the regular recommended retail price.

The association stressed that businesses should not take advantage of the plight of consumers and inflate prices at this critical period of time.

CASE said it had come to its attention that some retail outlets have increased the prices of face masks, especially for the N95 face masks.

It said it understands that many retailers have run of stock of face masks due to the high demand for them.

Some retailers may try to profit from the situation by selling face masks at a higher price. There have also been cases where individuals have bought face masks in bulk and resold them to the public at a profit.

CASE advises consumers to exercise caution when purchasing face masks from unknown brands or retailers online. Such masks may not provide adequate protection from the haze.

Consumers should also be wary of retailers that sell face masks at inflated prices.

Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Haze Inter-Ministerial Committee Ng Eng Hen said the government will supply retail outlets with more masks, and that NTUC Fairprice will get the stocks next week.

There however will be a limit to the number of N95 masks each person can buy, he said.

The minister said: “NTUC Fairprice will cap the price of these masks, but also limit the number that each person can buy. Because when people buy more, they create more demand and artificial shortages, so they will cap the price and limit the numbers that each person can buy.”

- CNA/jc

 

[PWNED]

Re: How bad is the haze!!!! The haze is so bad.......................


200,000 households to get free N95 masks

By Leong Wai Kit
POSTED: 21 Jun 2013 7:09 PM

People wearing face masks in Singapore as the haze shows no sign of improvement. (AFP PHOTO/Roslan Rahman)

SINGAPORE: Poorer households across Singapore will get free N95 masks, announced Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Friday.

Dr Ng, who also chairs the Haze Inter-Ministerial Committee, said he will involve the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in the distribution.

The minister said: “The government will distribute N95 masks free to poorer households in all constituencies through grassroots organisations. About 200,000 households will receive 1 million N95 masks. We will utilise the SAF to help get masks from warehouses to grassroots organisations.”

- CNA/jc