Singapore to amend haze law to widen investigation powers

SINGAPORE: Singapore will introduce amendments to its transboundary haze legislation to empower the government in its investigations into business practices that cause air pollution, Environment Minister Grace Fu said on Wednesday.

• “Following the recent haze episode, it is clear that the status quo is no longer tenable,” Fu said.
   
• Among the changes to the law, the government will be empowered to appoint private sector assessors to investigate companies with suspected links to haze pollution in Singapore.
   
• Companies found guilty of contributing to the haze may also be fined up to S$1 million per day, up to a maximum fine of S$20 million.
   
• Under current rules, companies guilty of contributing to haze pollution can be fined up to S$100,000 ($78,200) a day, capped at S$2 million.
   
• The amendmentswill allow the government to prevent other companies from working with those suspected of contributing to haze, with fines of up to S$1 million for each offence and another S$100,000 for each day they continue to break the rules.
   
• "We need better ways to obtain and verify information, trace corporate relationships and impose meaningful consequences on errant entities, even where criminal prosecution proves difficult," Fu said.
   
• The city-state has already issued notices to 10 ⁠Singapore-registered companies seeking information on their operations and potential links to the haze.
   
• The Monetary Authority of Singapore has also warned that banks should impose conditions and even end relationships with companies that may have breached environmental laws.
   
• On Tuesday, Singapore said it would work with ASEAN member states to strengthen the implementation of an agreement on transboundary ​haze when it chairs the regional bloc next ‌year.