Singapore open to legal action against errant firms as haze crisis worsens
Singapore will “keep its options open” on taking legal action against errant companies as air quality in the city state deteriorates to very unhealthy levels. Singapore is collecting data on the haze as it weighs possible action under its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, the Straits Times reported on Wednesday, citing Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu. The law, enacted in…
Singapore is prepared to take legal action against companies responsible for the worsening air quality crisis caused by transboundary haze from Indonesia, according to the South China Morning Post. The city-state is considering its options under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, enacted in 2014, which targets those responsible for causing or condoning fires that lead to unhealthy air quality.
The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) has been ranging between 125 and 206 across Singapore, with the western region recording the highest reading. Singapore remains ready to offer help to Indonesia in addressing the crisis, but there has been no update from the neighboring country yet. Violators of the Act face fines of up to S$2 million in total, and PSI readings in all five regions are currently in the "unhealthy" range.
The government is taking various measures to mitigate the impact of the haze, including distributing N95 masks and opening haze shelters at community spaces.
Brief written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
