Comparison of Pollutant Standards Index Readings for 2013 and 2014

Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) how do the 2014 readings of the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) compare with those recorded for 2013; and (b) whether progress is made towards achieving clearer skies and better air quality with the enactment of the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: Using the new PSI incorporating the PM2.5 readings which the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) introduced in April last year, our air quality was in the ‘Good’ and ‘Moderate’ range for 353 days in 2014, and 350 days in 2013. We continue to be affected by transboundary haze from the region. The number of hotspots detected in Sumatra and Kalimantan in 2014 was in fact higher this year, – 28,580 hot spots compared to 18,129 in 2013. We were only spared poorer air quality because the wind conditions were favourable to us.

This is why MEWR enacted the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act on 25 September 2014. The Act is not a silver bullet and we do not underestimate the challenges of implementing it. Nonetheless, the enactment of this legislation has focused domestic and international attention on the haze problem, and placed errant companies on notice that their irresponsible actions will attract prosecution.

3 Regional cooperation within ASEAN remains a critical pillar of the ultimate solution. Local enforcement by local authorities at the sites of the fires is essential. MEWR and NEA will continue to work closely with the region’s authorities and Non-Government Organisations to resolve this recurrent regional problem collectively.