F1 race in Singapore on edge as bad haze persists

The organisers of the Singapore Grand Prix were also keeping a close watch on the situation as the F1 race is due to be held Friday to Sunday, featuring superstar drivers including Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.

The central business district in Singapore was shrouded by haze on September 14, 2015, as seasonal fires in Indonesia push air quality to unhealthy levels in neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia. EdgarShow more

SINGAPORE // Billowing smoke from Indonesian forest fires has worsened Singapore’s air pollution, raising concern among organisers of this weekend’s Formula One night race, as well as in schools that reopened yesterday after a weeklong term break.

Large parts of neighbouring Malaysia were also shrouded in the gray, acrid pall, as an Indonesian province declared an emergency that closed schools and limited working hours yesterday.

The pollutant standards index – Singapore’s main measure of air pollution – rose to 222 early yesterday morning. It was the highest level in a year and above the official “very unhealthy” bandwidth of 200, according to the national environment agency.

The pollution index dropped during the day to 118, a level classified as unhealthy.

Persistent haze over the weekend caused the cancellation of several outdoor events, while organisers of a run required participants to walk the route instead.

Organisers of the Singapore Grand Prix were also keeping a close watch on the situation.

The F1 race, to be held Friday through Sunday, features star drivers including Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.

The annual extravaganza, which has been held in the Lion City since 2008, draws hoardes of tourists and racing enthusiasts from around the world.

“In the event that the haze caused visibility, public health or operational issues, Singapore GP would work closely with the relevant agencies before making any collective decisions regarding the event,” race organisers said.

However, a decision on whether it will be safe to race will be made by FIA race director Charlie Whiting after consulting with drivers and teams.

The Singapore GP has always been held at this time of year, and while there has been some haze in years past because of the forest fires, it has never stopped the race from going ahead.

In 2013, the same three-hour index hit a historic high of 401, way above the “hazardous” 300 mark.

The thick, dirty white haze also blanketed many parts of Malaysia, with 30 out of 52 air pollutant stations recording unhealthy air levels, including in Kuala Lumpur and the administrative capital, Putrajaya.

Kuala Lumpur resident Rachel Lian said she had kept windows in her house shut and the air conditioning on continuously for the past few days, while keeping her 3-year-old daughter inside.

“I am really fed up with this annual haze, but what can we do?” said Ms Lian, who was taking precautiosn because she is seven-months pregnant.

The haze affects the region every year, and is largely caused by slashing and burning forests to clear the land for agriculture in nearby Indonesia.

In Riau province on Sumatra island, Indonesia’s northernmost island, air quality has worsened in recent days, threatening people’s health and disrupting flights.

Gov Arsyadjuliandi Rachman declared an emergency in the province on Monday, setting up health posts and ordering community health centres to stay open. Around 23,000 people in the province have been affected with acute respiratory infections caused by the haze since August.

Malaysian environment minister Wan Junaidi Jaafar is due to meet with his Indonesian counterpart on Friday and may sign a new pact to solve the haze problem.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations already has a 13-year-old agreement to resolve the trans-boundary pollution issue. Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi, from the opposition Islamic party, said weak leadership in Malaysia should be blamed for failing to implement the 2002 pact and finding a permanent solution.

Last week, Singapore authorities registered their concerns with Indonesia on the deteriorating haze situation and offered help, including firefighting teams and an aircraft for cloud-seeding operations. Indonesian authorities declined the offer.

* Associated Press