Singapore tightens anti-haze law with arrest powers, higher fines

Singapore’s parliament  tightens on Wednesday (November 4) passed amendments to its anti-haze law, introducing arrest powers, higher fines and restrictions on companies linked to transboundary air pollution caused by wildfires.

The changes to the 2014 Transboundary Haze Pollution Act allow courts to try defendants in their absence if they are overseas or unreachable. Daily fines for non-compliant companies have been raised tenfold to nearly US$800,000, while the maximum penalty has increased to more than US$15.6 million.

Authorities can also require companies to appoint government-approved independent assessors to investigate fires, business operations and corporate links. They may impose restrictions on designated companies, including limiting their access to services from Singapore’s financial sector.

The amendments follow weeks of haze pollution from fires in neighbouring Indonesia. Singapore last month issued warnings to 10 foreign-based companies and directed 10 Singapore-registered firms to appoint independent assessors.

Singapore Institute of International Affairs chairman Simon Tay said the law would strengthen the country’s enforcement powers but would not guarantee an end to haze. He stressed the need for regional cooperation, while Greenpeace Malaysia also called for stronger ASEAN collaboration.

Fires in Indonesia burned more than 1.9 million hectares between January and September, according to the Nusantara Atlas monitor.