The transboundary haze that looms Southeast Asia, mostly over Singapore and Malaysia, has sparked controversy, blaming Indonesia for the fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan on Borneo.
Brunei Darussalam, however, has been enjoying good air quality.
The Bulletin interviewed teachers and students over the possible school closure, should haze cloud over the Sultanate in the coming days.
Maria, an expat teacher at a private primary school, said the closure would be the only option if the haze affected the air quality. However, it would also impact students preparing for examinations, such as the Brunei-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level and the Students Progress Examination (SPE).
Meanwhile, Sofia, a student sitting for the SPE, said she cannot afford to have the exams affected as she had been revising, taking extra classes and attending tuition all year.
In the ‘90s, the Sultanate closed down schools when heavy smog polluted the air.
Sofia’s mother, Siti, suggested N95 masks for protection from the haze.
Singapore and Malaysia have reportedly been directing the fires in Indonesia, causing air quality levels to deteriorate. Despite the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department’s alerts on potential active weather conditions over the past weekend, the pollutant standard index (PSI) released by the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation yesterday read at 10 for the Brunei-Muara District, 17 for the Tutong District, 24 for the Belait District and 15 for the Temburong District.
Meanwhile, the air quality was found to be unhealthy in 19 areas in seven Malaysian states as of 5pm on Sunday, reported The Star.
The Malaysian Air Pollution Index Management System (APIMS) showed that Nilai, Negeri Sembilan recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (IPU) with a reading of 162.Malaysia is reviewing action on the ground to stem the return of the haze due largely to fires raging in Indonesia, Malaysian Environment Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad told The Straits Times (ST) on Saturday.
Indonesian officials said Jakarta has sealed off 35 large plantation locations in Sumatra and Kalimantan – the primary sources of hot spots – to facilitate investigations into the causes of fires spewing unhealthy smog into the air.
Environmental and Forestry Law Enforcement Director-General Rasio Ridho Sani told the ST on Saturday that it is prepared to sanction corporations, ranging from monetary fines and business licence revocations to jail terms for errant managers and executives. – Fadley Faisal
