{
  "id": 18101849,
  "title": "Maximum fine for haze offences to be raised to S$20 million under proposed amendment of THPA",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/maximum-fine-for-haze-offences-to-be-raised-to-s-20-million-under",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T10:02:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mothership",
    "slug": "mothership",
    "url": "https://mothership.sg/2026/11/fines-haze-offences/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore's maximum fine for haze-related offenses is set to soar to S$20 million, a tenfold increase from the current cap of S$2 million, according to proposed amendments to the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA). This escalation, announced by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on November 4, aims to tackle the challenges posed by the Southeast Asian country's worst haze episode since 2015. The new daily fine for primary offenses will rise to S$1 million, also capped at S$20 million.\n\nFu highlighted the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms to curb haze pollution, which can originate from overseas land or forest fires. The proposed changes will enable authorities to impose additional penalties based on the financial gains or losses resulting from the offense. Furthermore, a novel civil penalty framework will empower the National Environment Agency (NEA), in collaboration with the Public Prosecutor, to seek penalties of up to S$10 million through civil proceedings.\n\nInterestingly, the amendments will broaden the scope of the THPA to include activities that cause or contribute to overseas fires potentially leading to haze in Singapore, even if the haze hasn't yet reached the nation's borders. This proactive approach will allow NEA to intervene before the haze impacts Singapore, based on factors such as the distance of the fires, the duration and intensity of the burning, and prevailing weather conditions.",
  "summary": "The maximum daily fine for the main offence will increase from S$100,000 to S$1 million.",
  "key_points": [
    "Maximum fine for haze offenses to be raised to S$20 million, tenfold increase",
    "Daily fine for primary offenses to rise to S$1 million, also capped at S$20 million"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Escalating financial penalties and expanding jurisdictional reach signals a shift toward proactive enforcement that targets the economic drivers of transboundary pollution before smoke reaches Singaporean borders.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}