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Boycott companies causing haze, says watchdog

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Watchdog urges consumers to send strong signal

International consumer watchdog Consumers International (CI) said it is deeply concerned with the "havoc created in the region by irresponsible burning of forests" and urged the public to stop buying products from companies involved in the haze.

CI added that unlike in Singapore, companies in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are not declaring their source of procurement of sustainable wood, paper and/or pulp.

"With lack of information about which companies' activities are contributing to the haze, CI urges consumers to patronise products that carry internationally recognised green label or other independently verified labels that support sustainable production that does not cause harm to the well-being of consumers," it said in a statement yesterday.

"CI believes consumers should send a signal to errant companies through their purchasing power and refuse to support companies contributing to this environmental disaster."

The global body also appealed specifically to the governments of Indonesia and Malaysia to adopt a similar approach to that of the Government of Singapore and "initiate legal proceedings against companies responsible for the fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan".

POSITIVE ACTIONS

CI insisted that Asean, which has set up a steering committee on haze pollution, works towards solving transboundary air pollution issues through positive actions for the sake of health and environment.

The National Environment Agency said yesterday that hazy conditions are expected to persist, with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index forecast to be in low- to mid-sections of the unhealthy range (PSI of 101-200) for the next 24 hours.

If denser haze is blown in, it may even enter the high end of the unhealthy range.

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