“CANNOT PLAY HIDE AND SEEK”
Setting out what levers Singapore can pull against errant firms, Mr Shanmugam said Singapore will look beyond the individual companies that hold the concessions, but also into large groups and “persons who may ultimately control them”.
“If there are linkages, we will try and go after these groups as well,” he said.
For example, he noted that investigations show that Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) buys from three of the companies that NEA has sent preventive measure notices to.
Smoke-source points also seem to be associated with Singapore-listed First Resources and Bumitama Agri, as well as First Borneo Plantations, said Mr Shanmugam.
He noted that First Resources, for instance, has issued a detailed statement on its zero-burning policy and firefighting efforts, but added that statements alone are insufficient and must be backed by evidence.
“We will ask for the full facts and we will act based on the facts. We will consider all the evidence fairly,” he said.
“Companies cannot play hide and seek with different corporate structures. Nor should they hope that because the evidence and actions are in Indonesia, they can escape responsibility in Singapore.”
On what actions can be taken against companies with possible links to the haze, Mr Shanmugam said that the Singapore Exchange has asked questions of seven agri-companies listed in Singapore.
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