Singapore Identifies Seven Firms in Indonesia Fire Inquiry

Singapore is investigating which companies may be responsible for fires in Indonesia that have contributed to haze, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said, adding that the government could pursue legal action where warranted under its transboundary pollution law. Wong said Singapore was also exploring possible joint action with other countries. In a Facebook post on October 15, he said the haze stems from forest and peatland fires in Indonesia, worsened by an extended dry period. He said Singapore had offered assistance to Indonesia and would continue working with neighbouring countries and regional partners. Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu said on October 14 that the government was reviewing collected data and keeping open the option of action under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act. The law, enacted in 2014, allows action against companies responsible for or condoning fires abroad if haze keeps Singapore’s Pollutant Standards Index in the unhealthy range in any part of the country for at least 24 hours. The reported maximum fine is S$100,000 per day, capped at S$2 million. At a press conference on October 16, Fu said Singapore had identified seven companies it...