{"id":97831,"date":"2026-11-06T06:22:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T22:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=97831"},"modified":"2026-11-06T06:22:00","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T22:22:00","slug":"mps-raise-questions-on-20m-fine-delay-in-strengthening-haze-law-in-six-hour-debate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=97831","title":{"rendered":"MPs raise questions on $20m fine, delay in strengthening haze law, in six-hour debate"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"text-primary article-summary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">SINGAPORE &#8211; <!-- -->Investigations<!-- --> remain open into the four companies issued legal notices under Singapore\u2019s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act in 2015, although time has lapsed because of procedural issues, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on Nov 4.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">But three of these firms have also been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/environment\/nea-issues-legal-notices-under-haze-law-to-10-singapore-based-companies-including-asia-pulp-paper?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">implicated in the 2026 haze episode<\/span><\/a>, and their past actions will be considered as the authorities continue their probe into the current case, she added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Fu<!-- --> gave this update in Parliament on the open cases under Singapore\u2019s haze law, during a debate on a Bill to amend the legislation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">With the changes, which were passed after a six-hour debate, the authorities here will have more tools to investigate and act against firms linked to fires in the region.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">All 24 MPs who spoke up supported the amendments, although they sought clarity <!-- -->from the minister <!-- -->on a range of issues.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"responsive-iframe-base st_visuals st_visuals-embed\" title=\"st_visuals embed\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/multimedia\/graphics\/2026\/08\/singapore-haze-widget\/index.html\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer;falseclipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;\" loading=\"eager\" data-testid=\"responsiveIframe\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Many MPs, including Poh Li San (Sembawang West) and Non-Constituency MP Eileen Chong of the Workers\u2019 Party, asked why it took 11 years to strengthen the law.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Poh also asked about the timeline of investigations and enforcements this time, since the amendments will not apply retroactively with the ongoing four cases.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Fu said the amendments are intended for the Government to take quick action, either through legal or economic levers.\u00a0\u201cSo I hope that we have a much faster resolution of the cases,\u201d she said.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Lee Hui Ying (Nee Soon GRC) and Jessica Tan (East Coast GRC)<!-- --> <!-- -->were among the MPs who wanted to know how the authorities determined whether fires abroad would pose a <!-- -->risk<!-- --> of haze to the Republic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Before the amendments kick in,<!-- --> <!-- -->the Act can be triggered if the haze causes the Pollutant Standards Index <!-- -->\u2013 a measure of air quality in Singapore \u2013<!-- --> to stay in the unhealthy range in any part of the country for 24 hours or more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">But with the changes, the scope of the law will be expanded to include the risk of haze.<!-- --> <!-- -->This means entities can be held responsible as long as they cause or contribute to overseas fires that can<!-- --> <!-- -->potentially result in Singapore experiencing haze, even if the smoke plumes have not drifted here.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">In response, Fu<!-- --> <!-- -->said that<!-- --> <!-- -->proving risk will be done through judgment based on scientific and meteorological data.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">If the air quality is stable and in the healthy range, and weather conditions do not indicate any risk of haze pollution in Singapore, the National Environment Agency will not have any interest or reason to act, even if there are fires, she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">However, if there is a \u201creasonable likelihood\u201d of air quality worsening because of unfavorable weather conditions and significant forest fires, \u201cNEA will have the basis to exercise a wider range of options without having to prove that the fire in a specific location has indeed caused haze pollution in Singapore,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cOur aim is to allow agencies to move and react in a timely manner&#8230;  The government will still have to satisfy the court that all elements of the offence are (met),\u201d said Fu.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Under the changes to the law, the maximum fine for those found guilty of causing or contributing to fires was also raised from $2 million to $20 million.<!-- --> <!-- -->But some MPs questioned if this was still too low to serve as a deterrent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">David Hoe <!-- -->(<!-- -->Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC<!-- -->) <!-- -->pointed out that for a corporation making $500 million in profits, $20 million is just 4% of its revenue. He asked if turnover-based or profit-linked fines were considered, with the maximum fine set as a percentage of an errant company\u2019s annual profit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Fu said the maximum penalties were considered carefully to ensure that they are fair and practical, while providing a suitable deterrent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cTurnover-based fines were considered, but we decided to go with an absolute figure, given the potential difficulties in obtaining information on turnover for every entity (we) want to go after,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cOn the maximum fine defined in the legislation, penalties are ultimately decided by the courts based on the circumstances in each case. We do not expect that the maximum fine will always be imposed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">A civil penalty framework<!-- --> <!-- -->with a maximum fine of $10 million was also<b> <\/b>added to the law, so that there is another route to take errant entities to task.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Fu explained that both the civil and criminal routes of action require different levels of proof.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cIf we\u2019re able to prove beyond reasonable doubt, we\u2019ll definitely go for the criminal prosecution route, and therefore the $20 million maximum fine (will) apply. But having an<!-- --> <!-- -->option of civil liability basically gives NEA and the prosecutor an alternative route if we do not have that level of proof.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Fu was responding to Hany Soh <!-- -->(<!-- -->Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC<!-- -->)<!-- -->, who asked<!-- --> <!-- -->why the civil penalty did not match the criminal penalty of $20 million.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">MPs also asked<!-- --> <!-- -->if Singapore could do more to address the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/multimedia\/graphics\/2026\/09\/singapore-haze-2026\/index.html?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">root cause of this year\u2019s haze,<\/span><\/a> which is the burning of peatlands in Indonesia that had been drained for plantation land.<!-- --> <!-- -->Slash-and-burn agriculture practices light up the dried habitats in infernos that are hard to put out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Lee said: \u201cIf we want our solutions to prevail long-term, enforcement should be accompanied by measures that encourage sustainable land and water management, fire prevention, and ecosystem restoration.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Gerald Giam (Aljunied GRC) said: \u201cThe law must treat deliberate canal excavation that turns wetlands into tinderboxes with the same urgency as the fires that inevitably follow.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He sought clarification on whether the legislative intent of the revised law is to treat peatland drainage as conduct that causes or contributes to fire risk.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He suggested that the plantations linked to Singapore-based corporates should be required to maintain water table levels and submit audited fire prevention plans directly to NEA. Water table levels refers to the extent<b><i> <\/i><\/b>below the surface of the ground at which you start to find water.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Non-Constituency MP Andre Low from the Workers\u2019 Party acknowledged that carbon credits can help to finance peatland restoration in the longer term.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He also noted that Singapore\u2019s developing carbon-credit cooperation with Indonesia is an opportunity to examine how these arrangements could work in practice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">In response, Fu said the law could include peatland restoration as one of the directives to prevent land or forest fires.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">She clarified that the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act is not restricted to only fires on peatlands, and there are other causes of haze and fires that the law caters to.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cSo I do not want to constrain ourselves or focus our attention too narrowly on whether we should have water table requirements or not, because these are details that we can work with later on, with the specific cases (and) remedial actions,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Future of weather in South-east Asia: El Ni\u00f1o turbo-charging heat, haze and drought\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TrSp8XIqvnc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The amendments will give the Government more tools and paths, Fu says, but Singapore should be clear-eyed about what legislation can achieve.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">She said: \u201cThere may be some companies that we can go after, but there are many more landowners or occupiers, including many small landowners that \u2026 we are not able to.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cWe won\u2019t be able to investigate all of them, we should also expect to continue to face challenges with securing and verifying evidence. There is no guarantee of a successful prosecution.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Transboundary Haze Pollution Act: Can it stop the haze?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/w0jVUCCuvpo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"responsive-iframe-base podcast aspect-landscape podcast-embed\" title=\"podcast embed\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/omny.fm\/shows\/green-pulse-1\/playlists\/green-pulse\/embed\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer;falseclipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;\" loading=\"eager\" height=\"500\" data-testid=\"responsiveIframe\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<center><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/politics\/mps-raise-questions-on-20m-fine-delay-in-strengthening-haze-law-in-six-hour-debate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><br \/>\n<center\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SINGAPORE &#8211; Investigations remain open into the four companies issued legal notices under Singapore\u2019s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act in 2015, although time has lapsed because&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":97832,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-97831","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97831","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=97831"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97831\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/97832"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=97831"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=97831"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=97831"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}