How can we breathe if the oxygen has been taken away, ask residents in haze-shrouded Pekanbaru

Pekanbaru, the capital of haze-shrouded Riau province, has been blanketed in thick haze originating from neighbouring provinces Jambi and South Sumatra. ST PHOTO: KHALID BABA
Pekanbaru, the capital of haze-shrouded Riau province, has been blanketed in thick haze originating from neighbouring provinces Jambi and South Sumatra. ST PHOTO: KHALID BABA
Pekanbaru, the capital of haze-shrouded Riau province, has been blanketed in thick haze originating from neighbouring provinces Jambi and South Sumatra. ST PHOTO: KHALID BABA
The Siak river in Pekanbaru shrouded in haze on Sept 21, 2019. ST PHOTO: KHALID BABA
Business as usual at the Agus Salim market in haze-shrouded Pekanbaru on Sept 21, 2019. ST PHOTO: KHALID BABA
Business in Pekanbaru has slumped the past two weeks with most people preferring to remain at home. ST PHOTO: KHALID BABA
Business in Pekanbaru has slumped the past two weeks with most people preferring to remain at home. ST PHOTO: KHALID BABA
A banner on the fence of a government building reads: “They burn the forest to make room for buildings or oil-palm plantation. As a result, humans, nature and animals become victims.” ST PHOTO: KHALID BABA
Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja
Indonesia Correspondent
Updated
Sep 23, 2019, 01:34 PM
Published
Sep 21, 2019, 08:19 PM
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

PEKANBARU (Riau) - His house overlooks the wide and magnificent Siak river that runs from west to east of Pekanbaru and on a regular day, Mr Bakri Hamid would be on the front terrace enjoying the breeze while watching the trees sway in the wind.

But it is the haze season now, and nothing is normal.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

ST One Digital

 $9.90/month

No contract

ST app access on 1 mobile device

Subscribe now

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Available for
iPhones and iPads
Available in
Google Play

MCI (P) 066/10/2023. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2024 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

Back to the top