Dividend Chaser on Singapore PM speaks on Haze

(From Article)

SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Ministers Ng Eng Hen and Minister Vivian Balakrishnan will be speaking on the haze situation at 3pm, today (June 20). Live updates here:

"Haze is not a new problem for Singapore and Malaysia, but this episode is more serious than in recent years," Mr Lee said. "This afternoon the 3-hour PSI reached 371, a new high. The 24-hour PSI (at 2pm), which our health advisories are based on, was in the range of 175-207 – in the Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy range. We expect the wind and weather conditions to remain the same, and therefore the haze to persist."

Mr Lee also said that he had written to Indonesian President Yudhoyono to register serious concerns and reiterate the Republic's offer to help. Mr Lee also vowed to take action against any Singapore companies or companies in Singapore responsible for causing the fires in Sumatra.

Mr Lee added that the Ministry of Health will implement a special scheme to provide financial help with medical expenses for those in need. An inter-ministerial committee will also be set up to focus on protecting public health and safety and work with Indonesians to mitigate the haze.

Dr Ng, who will chair the inter-ministerial committee, said: “Like it or not, for haze to improve we are dependent on the Indonesian government. We must not let the haze overrun us. The haze will test our economic and social resilience.”

Environment Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said that the Government will have to give more advice on appropriate precautions to deal with the haze. “The bottom-line is that no company has the right to pollute the air at the expense of Singaporeans' health,” he added.

When asked about a tipping point for a stop-work order, Mr Lee said that there is no hard line where everything must stop. He also added that it is "not fruitful" to respond to Indonesian minister's comment that Singapore is acting like a child over the current haze situation.

Addressing concerns over PSI readings, Mr Lee said: “We don't play these kind of games in Singapore. We are publishing 3-hour average. It may be better than what you see outside window or worse than what you see.”