The four companies under investigation are PT Bumi Andalas Permai, PT Bumi Mekar Hijau, PT Sebangun Bumi Andalas Woods Industries, and PT Rimba Hutani Mas. The NEA noted that because these investigations are still ongoing, it is unable to disclose further details. In a previous incident in 2015, the agency identified fires on concession lands associated with six different companies and issued legal notices to all of them under the same legislation.
The Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, which came into force in September 2014, defines a poor air quality episode as occurring when the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) for PM2.5 reaches 101 or higher in any part of Singapore and remains at or above that level for the subsequent 24 hours or longer. The NEA reported that the 24-hour PSI has been in the unhealthy range in at least one region of Singapore since October 5. However, meeting this air quality threshold alone does not automatically establish liability. Authorities must also prove that a specific entity caused or contributed to the haze pollution.
Under the Act, companies found guilty of causing or contributing to transboundary haze pollution face fines of up to S$100,000 (approximately US$78,100) per day, with a total cap of S$2 million. The law applies to entities operating both within and outside Singapore, including those that condone activities resulting in haze pollution. It also empowers authorities to issue preventive measures notices, requiring companies to take steps to prevent, reduce, or control such pollution. Individuals and businesses within Singapore retain the right to pursue civil claims against responsible entities for personal injury, property damage, or economic losses arising from the haze.
The current haze event has affected multiple countries in the region. In Johor Bahru, Malaysia, nearly 2,000 schools have been closed due to smoke. Reports indicate that companies affiliated with business entities from Singapore and Malaysia are among those suspected of involvement in the burning. Singapore can impose fines of up to Rp 27 billion per company responsible for forest burning in Indonesia, according to local reporting. The haze is primarily driven by forest and peatland fires in neighboring countries, a recurring issue that periodically degrades air quality across Southeast Asia.
The NEA continues to gather information on the specific sources of the fires and their contribution to the current air quality conditions. The legal framework provides a mechanism for accountability, but enforcement depends on the completion of the ongoing investigations to establish a direct link between the corporate entities and the transboundary pollution.
