S’pore collecting data on haze, will ‘keep its options open’ on taking legal action: Grace Fu

SINGAPORE - Singapore is “keeping its options open” on whether it will take action against errant companies under its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on Oct 14.

“We are collecting the data now, and we will review them carefully,” she told reporters on the sidelines of a mask distribution exercise at Yuhua SMC, where she is MP.

“We hope that the Indonesian authorities are able to contain the fires. It’s very difficult year because of El Nino,” said Fu, referring to the weather phenomenon that results in drier, hotter weather in equatorial ASEAN countries.

“We are keeping our options open and will give due consideration to the data that we’re collecting, and we will share with you in due course,” she added.

Since air quality in Singapore first dipped into unhealthy levels on Sept 4, the country has faced several haze episodes that crossed the threshold for its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act to be breached.

The law, enacted in 2014, targets those responsible for causing or condoning fires if the haze causes the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI), a measure of air quality here, to stay in the unhealthy range in any part of Singapore for 24 hours or more. Air quality is considered unhealthy when PSI levels are 101 and above.

Fu added: “The weather has been very dry, and we know that the issues are very complex. We wish them well, and we stand ready to assist them where they can.”

She said Singapore’s offer to still remains, and there has not been any update from the Indonesian side so far.

Fu added: “And also, we look forward to a discussion at the regional level, at the ASEAN level, along with our ASEAN counterparts.”

Her comments come as the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) here breached the very unhealthy range in the west at 9pm, with a reading of 203. It is the first time during the ongoing haze episode that air quality deteriorated to such levels.

Shabana Begum is a correspondent, with a focus on environment and science, at The Straits Times.