Singapore sends notices to four Indonesian firms over haze

The Singapore government has written to four Indonesian companies for contributing to haze pollution, as provided for under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA).

Under the THPA, haze pollution is said to have occurred if the 24-hour Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) remains at 101 or higher for 24 continuous hours or longer.

Haze pollution as prescribed under the THPA has occurred for four periods since Sept 10.

In a statement today, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said it was conducting investigations and the gathering of evidence into these four haze periods.

From investigations so far, NEA said there were indications the haze might have been contributed by fires in lands held via concessions under the four Indonesian companies.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan told the media today, while Indonesia had taken some positive measures in combating haze, more needed to be done.