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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Malaysia's Najib Razak demands Indonesia take action over haze | Malaysia's Najib Razak demands Indonesia take action over haze |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak has demanded Indonesia take action against companies responsible for illegal forest fires blanketing the region in smoke. | The Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak has demanded Indonesia take action against companies responsible for illegal forest fires blanketing the region in smoke. |
| Malaysia has closed most schools for two days over health concerns posed by the haze. | Malaysia has closed most schools for two days over health concerns posed by the haze. |
| The fires are used to clear land for plantations in Indonesia. | The fires are used to clear land for plantations in Indonesia. |
| Singapore and large parts of Indonesia itself are also severely affected during the annual burning season. | Singapore and large parts of Indonesia itself are also severely affected during the annual burning season. |
| "Only Indonesia alone can gather evidence and convict the companies concerned," Mr Najib said during a visit to Italy, according to Malaysian state news agency Bernama. | "Only Indonesia alone can gather evidence and convict the companies concerned," Mr Najib said during a visit to Italy, according to Malaysian state news agency Bernama. |
| But Indonesia's President Joko Widodo told the BBC last week that it was "not a problem that you can solve quickly". | But Indonesia's President Joko Widodo told the BBC last week that it was "not a problem that you can solve quickly". |
| Indonesian officials have said more than 20,000 people, including troops, have been deployed to fight the fires. | Indonesian officials have said more than 20,000 people, including troops, have been deployed to fight the fires. |
| 'No compromise' | 'No compromise' |
| At least five areas in Malaysia on Sunday recorded "very unhealthy" levels of air pollution, with one reporting "hazardous" levels. The haze can cause coughs and lung infections. | At least five areas in Malaysia on Sunday recorded "very unhealthy" levels of air pollution, with one reporting "hazardous" levels. The haze can cause coughs and lung infections. |
| "We will not compromise with anything that may bring harm to our children in schools," Malaysian Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid said, according to AFP news agency. | "We will not compromise with anything that may bring harm to our children in schools," Malaysian Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid said, according to AFP news agency. |
| The thick smoke has affected much of the region: | The thick smoke has affected much of the region: |
| Plantation clearances | Plantation clearances |
| The fires are started illegally, as a way to clear land for plantations on Indonesia's vast Sumatra and Borneo islands. | The fires are started illegally, as a way to clear land for plantations on Indonesia's vast Sumatra and Borneo islands. |
| Peatlands, typically saturated with water, are drained to make way for palm oil and paper plantations, making the partially decayed vegetation, and the forest above, more easily burnable. | Peatlands, typically saturated with water, are drained to make way for palm oil and paper plantations, making the partially decayed vegetation, and the forest above, more easily burnable. |
| Environmental activists Greenpeace have described Indonesian peatlands as "a virtual climate bomb", storing billions of tonnes of carbon - until released by fires. | Environmental activists Greenpeace have described Indonesian peatlands as "a virtual climate bomb", storing billions of tonnes of carbon - until released by fires. |
| If current trends continue, the pollution this year will be among the worst recorded, partly thanks to a longer than usual dry season, caused by the El Nino weather system. | If current trends continue, the pollution this year will be among the worst recorded, partly thanks to a longer than usual dry season, caused by the El Nino weather system. |
| In 1997, out-of-control fires broke pollution records, causing an estimated $9bn (£6bn) in environmental damage. | In 1997, out-of-control fires broke pollution records, causing an estimated $9bn (£6bn) in environmental damage. |
| Malaysian farmers have complained of poor yields caused by the obscured skies, and the Singapore government is taking legal action against companies accused of being behind the fires. | Malaysian farmers have complained of poor yields caused by the obscured skies, and the Singapore government is taking legal action against companies accused of being behind the fires. |
| Indonesia declined Singapore's offers to help with fire-fighting operations during a meeting in Jakarta on 1 October, saying they could deal with the problem. | Indonesia declined Singapore's offers to help with fire-fighting operations during a meeting in Jakarta on 1 October, saying they could deal with the problem. |
| Despite this, volunteers from Singapore have been distributing tens of thousands of free face masks in Indonesia. | Despite this, volunteers from Singapore have been distributing tens of thousands of free face masks in Indonesia. |
| Do you live in the affected regions? Has your school been closed due to the haze? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | |
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