Clearing up ASEAN’s Hazy Relations

The air quality in Malaysia and Singapore over the past few weeks has deteriorated significantly, with PSI levels remaining largely in the unhealthy range. This has caused many people to remain homebound to avoid falling ill. Economies have had to bear the brunt of this. Outdoor coffee shops and restaurants note a lag in business by about 15 to 20% while poor visibility has become a hazard to ships’ navigation, with Indonesia reporting its first smog-related accident when two Indonesian vessels recently collided in Jambi, Sumatra. It has also delayed flights and retarded Sarawak’s vital helicopter service, often used in remote areas. The overall sentiment amongst these regional passive smokers is one of disappointment and increasing resentment towards Indonesia.