Jambi – President Joko Widodo has again been forced to cancel a trip to monitor efforts to quell haze-causing forest fires, as visibility was still too low on Friday to safely fly the presidential jet to Jambi's Sultan Thaha International Airport.

Air pollution indexes have moved into hazardous territory in large parts of Indonesia and neighboring countries, and the haze has already forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights in the region. Schools were also forced to close in Singapore on Friday.

Joko was scheduled to visit Muarojambi district together with Forestry and Environment Minister Siti Nurbaya, but visibility in Jambi city was just 200-300 meters on Friday morning

The president had also been slated to visit a community health center treating residents suffering from respiratory ailments as a result of the smoke.

Henrizal, a spokesman for the Jambi provincial government, said it was still unclear if the presidential visit would be rescheduled.

"The visit of the president cannot go ahead today, Friday, as thick smoke continues to blanket Jambi," he said. "Possibly the president will visit the sites of the forest and wildfires in Jambi after the smoke clears."

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/low-visibility-forces-jokowi-cancel-jambi-haze-inspection-trip/