RECURRENCE OF SMOKE HAZE POLLUTION

Mr Simon S C Tay asked the Minister for the Environment whether the recurrence of the smoke haze pollution at the end of November and start of December 1998 signifies that illegal fires are still evident in Indonesia and whether the ASEAN Haze Action Plan has, to an extent, been ineffective.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: The mild haze we encountered at the end of November and the start of December indeed shows that there is a strong likelihood of plantation fires in Sumatra starting again as soon as there is a dry spell and that we will be affected if winds blow our way. The ASEAN Haze Action Plan will not be effective until there is effective enforcement against illegal burning. This is one of the key elements in the Plan.

We will continue to work with our ASEAN colleagues to get Indonesia to implement the Plan more effectively.