{
  "id": 15400632,
  "title": "S'pore-listed palm oil producer faces inquiry by Indonesia govt, others deny involvement & cite El Niño",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/spore-listed-palm-oil-producer-faces-inquiry-by-indonesia-govt-others",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T18:00:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mothership",
    "slug": "mothership",
    "url": "https://mothership.sg/2026/10/palm-oil-producer-indonesia/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Several Singapore-listed palm oil producers are under scrutiny from the Indonesian government following a series of forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra that have sparked the worst transboundary haze in over a decade. Kencana Agri confirmed it is under investigation by Indonesian authorities and is cooperating fully. Wilmar International, First Resources, Bumitama, and Golden Agri-Resources, all of which confirm adherence to a zero-burning policy, announced their positions on October 15 and 16. Four of the five companies, excluding Kencana, cited El Niño-related drought conditions causing an \"unusually severe\" dry season. Wilmar stated that it relies on mechanical methods for land preparation, clearing, and development. Bumitama added that dry conditions make vegetation and peat more combustible as water availability falls. Both Bumitama and Kencana asserted that fires originated from areas outside their concessions or directly managed areas and spread quickly. Kencana is currently undergoing a preliminary inquiry by Indonesian authorities over a fire incident at a subsidiary in North Kalimantan. All companies noted the presence of personnel equipped to combat fires, with some, like Wilmar and Bumitama, maintaining on-site firefighting teams. The statements followed a request from the Singapore Exchange Regulation (SGX RegCo) for information on the impact of the fires on their operations and whether their activities contributed to the haze. In response, SGX RegCo emphasized its seriousness towards the ongoing forest fires and the resulting haze, engaging with listed issuers operating in Indonesia to gather information about the fires' impact and their responses. SGX RegCo has also bolstered its Environmental, Social, and Governance disclosure and reporting standards, aiming to enhance issuers' disclosure on environmental policies, risks, and practices. Failure to meet these disclosure obligations could result in regulatory action by SGX RegCo. On October 16, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, along with the National Environment Agency, issued preventive measure notices to seven companies under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.",
  "summary": "Singapore Exchange Regulation has, over the years, strengthened its ESG disclosure and reporting standards.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Independent Singapore",
        "title": "Singapore-listed palm oil producer Kencana Agri faces inquiry by Indonesia govt over suspected land burning",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/singapore-listed-palm-oil-producer-kencana-agri-faces-inquiry-by",
        "published": "2026-10-18T10:30:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}