Indonesia is battling widespread forest fires that have blanketed Borneo and neighbouring countries in toxic haze, worsened by an unusually severe El Nino weather pattern. Officials say 12.5 million people have been affected by smoke-related illnesses, with schools shifting online and clinics reporting a surge in respiratory cases. The Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore have also felt the effects of the drifting haze. Authorities have deployed firefighters and pledged to prosecute those responsible for illegal burning, though data shows more forest has been cleared this year than in previous seasons.
Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride reports from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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