Fires in Southeast Asia may be emitting more greenhouse gases than the entire U.S.

Fires burn at a concession area in Pelalawan, Indonesia. (Adek Berry / AFP/ Getty Images)

A toxic haze has repeatedly wafted over huge swaths of Southeast Asia in the last month, causing school closures, grounded flights, canceled events and widespread concern about public health risks across the region. Here’s what you need to know about the Great Haze of 2015.

Nearly 100,000 fires are burning, setting up what looks to be the worst fire year in the region since 2006. The carbon emissions from the blazes have now surpassed those of the entire United States — the world’s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases — on 26 out of 44 days since September, according to a report by the World Resources Institute. READ MORE ......

A resident fishes by the river in Palangkaraya, one of the cities worst-hit by haze in Indonesia's central Kalimantan province.

 (Haris Sadikin / AFP/ Getty Images)

Actions to take during Haze

PETALING JAYA: The haze continues to worsen in Malaysia with 22 areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as at 12pm Tuesday.

According to the Department of Environment (DOE) website, Port Klang recorded the worst API at 175 followed by Shah Alam (154), Kuala Selangor (140), Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur (132), Petaling Jaya (132) and Banting (130).

Other areas with unhealthy air quality were Bakar Arang and Sungai Petani (113), Bukit Rambai, Melaka (109), Port Dickson (108), Seremban (103), Jerantut, Pahang (118), Jalan Tasek, Ipoh (116), Kg Air Putih, Taiping (101), SK Jalan Pegoh, Ipoh (122), Seri Manjung (120), Tanjung Malim (128), Seberang Jaya 2, Perai (105), Kemaman, Terengganu (103), Kuala Terengganu (111), Cheras (114) and Putrajaya (120).

Meanwhile, Tawau, Sabah was the only area from Borneo that recorded an unhealthy API of 119.

A reading of 100 to 200 indicates unhealthy air quality, while 201 to 300 is very unhealthy and above 300 hazardous. A reading of 51 to 100 is moderate.

Action against Dengue

An encouraging number of SS20 residents showed up on Sat, 17 Oct and were roaring to start their Anti-Dengue Search & Destroy activity. 

The fight against dengue includes all possible mosquito breeding grounds not just inside our homes but also our surroundings. That is why for this round, the residents targeted common areas like the vicinity of the gerai (frequently patronized by residents and the public), near the pedestrian bridge at Jalan SS20/10 and the field at Jalan SS20/5.

On hand to help the residents were students from SMKDU and MBPJ staff and contract workers.

Also present were YB Yeo Bee Yin, Dr Abdul Ghalib Sulaiman, Deputy Director of the Health & Environment Dept, MBPJ who gave an informative talk on dengue.

Special thanks to SMKDU and MBPJ for their help and support.

Once again our appreciation and thanks to Councillor Ong Swee Long for spurring and sponsoring this activity for SS20.

 

Anti Dengue - Search & Destroy Campaign

Date: 17 October 2015 (Saturday)
Time: 8.30 am (7:45 am registration and breakfast)

Venue: Cabin 8, Jalan SS 20/14, Damansara Utama. Petaling Jaya

Anti Dengue - Search & Destroy Flyer

This activity has been initiated and sponsored by Councillor Ong Swee Long in response to the concerns shown by SS20 residents towards the threat of dengue. 

Dr Katie Ang, our resident anti-dengue expert, wishes to remind everyone that the danger of dengue is far from over. Let us gather together this Saturday and do whatever "little bit" to help.

Shoe thief caught on camera in the Central Zone

If you see any joggers in the morning resembling this man in the footage below, please call the police 03-77222222.

He is suspected to be involved in a spate of shoe thefts in the Central Zone over the last few days. He poses as a jogger and comes early in the morning between 5am to 7am.

Notification - Stray Dogs

Dear Residents,

The number of stray dogs in SS20 Central Zone have increased and they wander on all the roads looking for food. As most of you know, there is one pack of around 6-8 animals. They have now become a real threat as one of our residents was recently bitten by a stray dog. 

We do not want any more cases of residents, their children or school students being bitten by these stray dogs. While we have studied several options over the last 3-4 months (for example catching them, spaying and then release, to eventually reduce their population) we have no option now but to contact MBPJ to come to SS20 Central Zone and catch these dogs to send them to PAWS (PAWS Animal Welfare Society). We are in contact with the MBPJ Health Department.

We would like to inform all residents who have dogs to keep them within your house compound, as any dog wandering on the roads may be mistaken as a stray dog and may be caught by MBPJ. The MBPJ guideline is when you take your dog out of your compound, it MUST be on a leash.  

The RA will not be responsible for any of the residents' dogs caught by MBPJ while wandering on the roads. 

Thank you and regards,

Dr. Joe 

Environmental Committee Chairman

RA SS20 Central

Shoes stolen in the Central Zone

2 cases of stolen shoes last week in the early hours of the morning. 

1) Road 16
2 pairs of men's shoes stolen from cabinet in the porch and Touch n Go card taken from the car. Car was not locked.

2) Road 13
16 pairs of leather and sports shoes stolen from shoe cabinet in the porch.

The security committee is reviewing the CCTV to try to identify the thief.
Please do not leave your expensive shoes outside the house.

Celebration despite haze

Celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival and the International Senior Citizens Day cum Grandparents Day went on as scheduled on Sat night, 3 Oct at the Central Zone field despite the haze. 

Activities included an educational safety talk for children by Mr. Fong Peng Lim of Safer Kids, dancing, singing and Xianggong demo by SS20 residents. 
Unfortunately, the song performance by Mr Loke and Carole was cut short and the Karaoke and Line Dancing were cancelled due to the worsening air quality.

Some senior citizens were presented with certificates of appreciation in recognition of their contribution to the community by YB Yeo Bee Yin. 

We would like to thank Councillor Ong Swee Long for sponsoring this event, YB Yeo Bee Yin for her presence and constant support of our activities, and
to all the invited guests, the police and the residents who braved the choking haze to join in the celebration.