Bangkok Post
Singapore fighting haze with arrest powers, bigger fines
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SINGAPORE - Singapore’s parliament moved on Wednesday to toughen its anti-haze law with arrest powers, bigger fines and potential restrictions on companies linked to transboundary air pollution from wildfires.
Key facts
- SINGAPORE - Singapore’s parliament moved on Wednesday to toughen its anti-haze law with arrest powers, bigger fines and potential restrictions on companies linked to transboundary air pollution from wildfires.
- The proposed changes, which are expected to pass easily, come after weeks of air pollution from fires in neighbouring Indonesia angered Singaporeans and sparked calls for action.
- Fines would increase tenfold to nearly $800,000 a day for companies deemed non-compliant, with the ceiling on fines rising to over $15.6 million.
- Singapore enacted a Transboundary Haze Pollution Act in 2014, but enforcement has been stymied by jurisdictional barriers and challenges obtaining evidence from overseas.
Summary
The proposed changes, which are expected to pass easily, come after weeks of air pollution from fires in neighbouring Indonesia angered Singaporeans and sparked calls for action.
“We need better ways to obtain and verify information, trace complex corporate relationships, and impose meaningful consequences on errant entities,” Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said.