Singapore probing firms over haze-causing Indonesian fires

Motorists are pictured on the road to the Central Business District in Singapore on Friday, as haze from wildfires in Indonesia shrouds the region. | AFP-JIJI

Oct 16, 2026

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has vowed to investigate firms responsible for fires that have shrouded the city-state in haze for weeks, warning that those found culpable could face legal action.

“We are looking into which companies may be responsible for the fires,” Wong said in a Facebook post late Thursday. “Where warranted, we will take action under Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, and also explore joint action with other countries.”

The city-state and neighboring Malaysia have been blanketed for weeks by toxic smog from a severe wildfire season in Indonesia that’s been exacerbated by a powerful El Nino weather pattern, bringing dry weather to the region. Governments are under increasing pressure to respond to what is the worst bout of haze since 2015.

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