Haze Press Conference - Ms Grace Fu

1. Good afternoon, members of the media. Thank you for joining us.

2. We know that many Singaporeans are concerned about how the haze may develop, and what this means for our daily lives over the coming days and weeks. I will cover a few issues and then I will pass it on to my colleagues to cover the rest. The issues that I will cover are: 

   • What we can expect;

   • What each of us can do to protect ourselves and our community;

   • Updates on mask distribution efforts;

   • Our engagements with Indonesia on the situation and some of the updates of what have been done.

3. I will then pass the time to my colleagues to provide updates on the measures in their respective sectors.

First, what we can expect for the haze outlook?

4. We should be prepared for the haze to persist for some time. The situation is fluid. Depending on the weather, we can expect air quality to fluctuate, including the possibility of reaching hazardous level. 

5. However, as we transit to the inter-monsoon period towards the end of October or early November, we expect the situation to improve. That is another 3-4 weeks to go.  We expect winds around Singapore to become lighter then and more variable in direction, so it is less likely to bring haze from Sumatra or Kalimantan to Singapore.

6. Looking further ahead, when the Northeast Monsoon brings wind from the North to Northeast - this is around early December - any haze from Sumatra and Kalimantan will blow in the direction away from Singapore.

Next, what can each of us do to protect ourselves and our families – how do we interpret the air quality indicators?

7. We will provide timely information so everyone can take sensible precautions. There are two key indicators to monitor: the 24-hour PSI, which is an index, and the 1-hour PM2.5, which is one particular air pollutant air reading. They serve different purposes. The 24-hour PSI reading gives a picture of air quality over a longer period. It is useful for assessing sustained exposure. The 1-hour PM2.5 reading tells us more about current conditions, which is useful as air quality can change quickly.

8. Both indicators should be considered together. For example, a high 24-hour PSI but low 1-hour PM2.5 may indicate that current conditions have improved, although cumulative exposure remains a concern. A low 24-hour PSI which is generally a good condition, with a high one-hour PM2.5 reading, may indicate that conditions have recently worsened, even though the longer-term average has not risen yet.

9. That was what happened on Wednesday. We saw a sudden spike in the PM2.5 reading, particularly in the Western region. When planning for activities for the next day, the 24-hour PSI forecast is useful. I have asked NEA to make this information clearer on their website and app, so you can look at the PSI forecast beforehand, maybe a day before, and decide whether you want to continue planning the activity for the next day.  On the day itself, just before the activity is undertaken, track the latest 1-hour PM2.5 in your area, assess the activity and the people involved, and adjust accordingly. 

10. For individuals, the decision on what activity you can undertake will depend on (i) where you are, because different regions have different readings, (ii) what you are doing, the type of activities and whether it’s strenuous/or prolonged, (iii) the prevailing air quality, and (iv) your own health and physical condition.

    • For example, you are planning for a group run the next day. Check the 24-hour PSI forecast. If the condition allows for outdoor strenuous activity, and your fellow runners are relatively young and fit people, you may proceed to plan for the run. But before setting off for your run, check the 1-hour PM2.5 reading again to ascertain the air-quality and if there is a spike into a different band, particularly if the air quality appears to have deteriorated. Check the 1-hour PM2.5 reading. If it is elevated, you should cancel the run.

11. Do take the necessary precautions. Check in on family members and friends who may be more vulnerable to the haze. This is especially so for seniors, pregnant women, young children and those with chronic heart or lung conditions.

Third, measures the Government has put in place to support Singaporeans through this period

12. Agencies have plans in place to protect our students, workers and more vulnerable groups. This includes measures for schools, preschools and workplaces, which I will ask my colleagues to elaborate further on.

13. We have taken practical steps to support those who may be more vulnerable to the effects of haze. We started distributing haze masks to vulnerable Singaporeans on 14 October.

14. All 37 vending machines will be deployed by tonight. All CCs have started mask distribution. Around 10% of eligible Singaporeans have collected their masks.

Availability of masks

15. I want to assure everyone that there are sufficient stocks of masks available.

16. We understand that sometimes masks may be temporarily unavailable at some retail outlets because of increased demand.

17. We want to assure Singaporeans that there are sufficient stocks of masks in retailers’ warehouses and government stockpiles.

18. The retailers are continuously replenishing their shelves at the stores. Haze Task Force (HTF) is working closely with retailers to ensure the availability of masks to the public.

19. We are monitoring the situation and working closely with our partners to ensure that those who need masks can access them. We will undertake another round of mask distribution if the haze condition warrants it.

Fourth, updates on bilat engagements and Transboundary Haze Pollution Act enforcement

20. We have been in touch with our Indonesian counterparts over the past few months and had earlier offered our support for their firefighting efforts.

21. I spoke with my Indonesian counterpart, Minister for Environment Pak Jumhur, last month. The Chief Executive Officer of NEA has also written to and called her Indonesian counterparts to convey our readiness to support their efforts. We understand that the conditions they are dealing with are tricky, and we stand ready to assist where we can.

22. We have read from the media that they are open to assistance. I have communicated with my counterpart again today. I have offered both civilian assistance to support fire-fighting efforts, as well as other measures such as cloud-seeding support. I have yet to hear from him.

23. We are prepared to provide assistance that Indonesia thinks is suitable and will continue to engage them on this.   

24. National Environment Agency (NEA) has been actively tracking hotspots and smoke plumes from fires in the region to identify the companies that contributed to the haze episode.

25. This involves analysing satellite imagery and meteorological data to identify the likely source of haze. Establishing the companies responsible requires information from various sources, and not all of the information rests within the Singapore jurisdiction.

26. We draw information from concession maps, meteorological data and satellite imagery, some of which are from open sources, to identify the companies.  

27. Our investigations so far suggest that some of the haze experienced in Singapore originated from fires on the lands of seven companies in Indonesia.

28. NEA will send Preventive Measure Notices under the THPA to seven companies and inform them to do the following: 

    • Deploy fire-fighting personnel to extinguish or prevent the spread of any fire on land owned or occupied by them; 

    • Discontinue, or not commence, any burning activities on such land; 

    • Submit to NEA their action plans to extinguish any fires on their lands and/or to prevent their recurrence. 

29. We will share the list of companies with media and the public separately.

30. NEA is committed to investigating all errant companies found responsible for causing transboundary haze in Singapore. NEA will issue Preventive Measure Notices to more companies, and consider other measures under the THPA, if there are indications that they caused fires resulting in transboundary haze. 

31. We will continue to monitor the situation and the companies’ responses to these notices. Where warranted, we will take further action under the THPA based on the information and evidence available.

32. The experience from past cases has given us a better understanding of the practical challenges involved in investigating transboundary haze offences. We will also draw on lessons from past cases as we assess the current haze episodes and consider what further action may be warranted under the THPA.

33. Let me say a few words in Chinese.

34. 烟霾情况目前仍存在变数，我们必须灵活应对。

35. 鼓励各机构采取务实的做法，查看空气污染指数预报以及各区的1小时PM2.5浓度，再针对个别情况评估是否该调整活动，例如把户外活动换到室内，或暂停活动等。

36. 如果是个人活动，大家可以根据当时的空气质量和自己的身体状况来做调整。如果你想安排明天的活动，例如去跑步，可以查看24小时空气污染指数预报。但第二天在进行跑步之前，就可以根据一小时PM2.5浓度做判断，再决定要不要进行活动。

37. 重点是，我们不可能有一套适合所有情况的万能应对方案。因为各区的空气污染程度不一样，个人的身体状况也不一样，我们采取的活动也不一样。所以最好是各自做好准备，因情况而做出调整。

38. 大家可以做好防护措施，互相关照，多注意身旁更可能被烟霾影响的亲友。孕妇、年长者、年幼孩童及慢性心肺疾病患者更是应该多加留意。

39. 我们的口罩货源充足，大家无需担心。本地口罩需求量在烟霾期间增加，我们知道有些零售商可能面对口罩缺货的情况。

40. 但是零售商货仓内有足够的口罩库存，政府也有足够的口罩库存。

41. 本地零售商目前持续补充店内货源。烟霾工作小组也正与零售商紧密合作，确保公众可以领到或买到口罩。

42. In conclusion, this haze episode may last a few more weeks. We hope everyone can do their part - use information wisely, make practical adjustments to our routines. We can achieve as much normality as possible.

43. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, adjust our measures as conditions change, and keep Singaporeans updated.