Grace Fu: Singapore will ‘keep its options open’ on taking legal action against companies causing haze pollution even if activities are overseas

Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has pledged to take action against companies responsible for fires in neighboring Indonesia that have caused a severe air pollution crisis. The pledge was made in response to smoke from Indonesian wildfires blanketing parts of Southeast Asia, leading to schools closing and respiratory complaints rising.

Wong informed via a Facebook post that Singapore is investigating potential responsible companies under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act and may seek joint action with other nations. The city-state currently holds the top position in IQAir's ranking of the world's most polluted major cities, followed by Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur.

However, Singapore lacks its own plantations or forests. Legal experts warn that pursuing companies linked to the pollution is complex, primarily due to the need for cooperation from foreign authorities. Singapore enacted the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act in 2014 following previous severe pollution episodes in 2013 and 2015. The law enables authorities to target overseas activities of companies contributing to unhealthy haze levels in Singapore.

Despite challenges in establishing responsibility, Singapore's investigations into four Indonesian companies from the 2015 haze crisis remain ongoing. Wong acknowledged the limitations in controlling weather, winds, and actions beyond Singapore's borders. He emphasized that Singapore will take all necessary steps to protect its citizens while collaborating with neighbors to address the root causes of the haze.