Singapore issues three new legal notices to firms responsible for haze fires

On October 19, the National Environment Agency (NEA) in Singapore issued three new preventive measure notices to three Indonesian companies responsible for haze fires affecting Singapore. The companies, Buana Megatama Jaya, Mananjung Hayak, and Baratama Putra Perkasa, join seven others already issued notices under Section 9 of the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.

These companies hold concessions, or lands granted for use or development, and are required to deploy fire-fighting personnel to combat any fires on their land. They must also halt or prevent any burning activities and submit plans to the NEA for extinguishing or preventing future fires on their property. This follows a 12-day run of "unhealthy" air quality readings in Singapore, the longest period since 2015.

However, air quality slightly improved on Monday, with PM2.5 pollutant levels in the "normal" range and three regions reaching "moderate" levels for the first time in ten days. Singapore's Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, stated that residents should brace for prolonged haze conditions, expecting relief around late October or early November when inter-monsoon winds reduce the risk of smoke from Sumatra or Kalimantan entering the country.