For the past 12 years, Singapore and Malaysia had been affected by the haze cause in Indonesia by their slash-and-burn farmers. It is during the month of August to November. The highest PSI reading was during the year of 1997 when it actually hit a scale of 226. The next highest was in the year 2006, with PSI reading of 136 to 150. Last year, the PSI reading was not as bad as the previous years, on the average, the reading was about PSI 51 to 100. This year, the PSI reading ranged from 56 to 108, PSI over 100 is considered harmful and unhealthy.

I think that it is not wrong for the Indonesians to have open burning, it is their country's way of doing. I feel that When the farmers burn their forest, not only Singapore and Malaysia is affected, imagine the people living in Indonesia, they are suffering even more. I think that we should not always think of only ourselves, but also think about the big picture. Although we cannot stop the farmers from open burning, but we can think of other solutions to at least reduce this problem.

Every year when the Indonesian farmers carry out open burning, many problems will arise, mainly health and environment issues. By having these large scale burning, it releases a vast amount of greenhouse gases, which contributes to global warming. There are also several health issues, especially those with heart or respiratory ailments. For myself, I am also having sinus problems, causing me to fall sick easily during this period.

I feel that Singapore and Malaysia should do a part to help Indonesia reduce the haze problem that they are causing. If all of us were to work together and co-operate, then we will be able to reduce the harm to the lowest.