Haze probe: Five Singapore-registered companies agree to engage assessors

SINGAPORE – Five Singapore-registered companies potentially linked to regional fires that led to transboundary haze across the island have agreed to cooperate with assessments.

In a statement on Oct 31, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said the agency met with representatives from Wilmar International, Golden Agri-Resources, APP Company, APP Company (China), and Indofood Agri Resources, which have agreed to engage assessors and cooperate in the assessment process.

It will be meeting Kencana Agri, which has expressed willingness to voluntarily engage assessors.

“NEA also welcomes the recent public statement by First Resources Limited in which it stated that it was prepared to engage an investigation firm and a law firm to assess if the group has any involvement in or connection with the fires in Indonesia that contributed to transboundary haze,” the agency said.

“We look forward to receiving written confirmation of its participation in the assessment process.”

NEA said the companies’ voluntary participation in the assessment process will help establish the facts, including whether the companies have any involvement in or connection with the fires in Indonesia that caused or contributed to transboundary haze affecting Singapore.

Calista Wong is a journalist covering breaking news and current affairs at The Straits Times. She has a special interest in lifestyle and environment-related news.