CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Bhopal: CNN Central News and Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News / Agencies, Bhopal:
Toxic smoke rising from fierce forest fires in Indonesia has heightened tensions among three South-East Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Smoke from fires in forests and on land is crossing borders and reaching Malaysia and Singapore. Along with increased air pollution, people are facing problems such as difficulty breathing, coughing and eye irritation. Daily life has been affected in several areas, and schools have also had to be closed.
Questions have been raised in Malaysia and Singapore over the Indonesian government’s response to the crisis. Some people in Malaysia called for a boycott of Indonesian products, while some MPs there raised the issue of diplomatic protest and legal action. Singapore has also sought answers from companies allegedly involved in activities linked to the fires.
Meanwhile, Indonesia cut its pipeline supply of natural gas to Singapore by about eight percent. Indonesia said the reason was to ensure gas availability for domestic needs and power generation. However, the decision came at a time when tensions between the two countries had already increased over the smoke and mutual statements.
In an effort to reduce the dispute, Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan visited Indonesia. After talks, the two countries agreed to form a joint task force to identify and take action against companies setting fires in forests and spreading transboundary pollution.
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