My aged father, who is of Javanese descent, is currently suffering from a major lung sickness and my frail mother, who is of Sumatran descent, is managing a chronic asthmatic condition.

The Sumatran haze has worsened their conditions.

They once taught me that fresh air is God's gift.

No apologies are needed from Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla for the haze ("Strong comments from S'pore"; last Saturday).

More important to Mr Kalla should be the young Indonesian children who are growing up breathing the poison that has emanated uncontrollably in their very own neighbourhoods.

Mr Kalla owes them the apology.

Shafee Sajari