Singapore weighs legal action against companies over worsening transboundary haze

Singapore is looking into which companies may be responsible for the forest and peatland fires in Indonesia that have caused the worsening haze, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Thursday.

“Where warranted, we will take action under Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, and explore joint action with other countries,” he said in a social media post.

The haze situation was worsened by the extended dry period, Wong added.

Singapore had offered its assistance to Indonesia and would continue working closely with the country and other Association of Southeast Asian Nations partners to address the issue, he said.

N95 and equivalent masks are being distributed to vulnerable Singaporeans, while air-conditioned shelters are being made available at community clubs and selected residents’ network and residents’ committee centres.

“We will ensure support is available to those who need it,” he said.

“We cannot control the weather or winds, or what happens beyond our borders. But we will do everything we can to protect Singaporeans, while working with our neighbours to address the haze’s underlying causes,” Wong added.