Singapore is escalating its fight against cross-border haze pollution, threatening legal action against 10 companies it blames for wildfires in Indonesia that have choked the city-state with its worst air quality in a decade. The government has used satellite data and meteorological maps to identify the firms, three of which were also warned in 2015. Authorities have vowed to target company profits, financing access, and investor standing if they fail to comply. At least four of the 10 companies supply Asia Pulp and Paper, part of Indonesian conglomerate Sinar Mas, while two others are run by permanent Singapore residents. Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam warned that the government will use every legal lever to pressure non-cooperative firms. The haze, worsened by a “super” El Niño, has blanketed Singapore, disrupting outdoor events and casting a shadow over the Singapore Grand Prix. Hospital admissions for respiratory issues have surged. Singapore introduced the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act in 2014, allowing fines of up to S$100,000 a day, but no company has yet been prosecuted. This year, officials are determined to enforce compliance and hold polluters accountable.
Public frustration is mounting as haze becomes an annual recurrence in a city-state known for clean governance. The environment ministry previously cited lack of cooperation from Indonesia as a barrier to prosecution. However, with renewed resolve, Singapore is pressing Jakarta for information while simultaneously signaling its readiness to act independently through financial and regulatory measures.
The crisis underscores the challenge of enforcing environmental laws across borders, particularly when major firms operate in both Singapore and Indonesia. As regional temperatures rise and weather patterns shift, pressure is growing for stronger regional cooperation to tackle slash-and-burn practices driving the haze.
Source: Financial Times Companies · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing