Singapore expands haze probe to 10 local firms linked to Indonesian fires

Key facts

• Singapore's NEA is investigating 10 locally registered palm oil and forestry firms.
• The probe seeks information on Indonesian land concessions and fire prevention measures.
• Companies implicated include First Resources and Asia Pulp and Paper.
• Haze from Indonesian fires has made air quality in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore among the world's worst.

Singapore has expanded its investigation into haze-creating fires in Indonesia that have blanketed the city state in smog, requesting information from 10 locally registered companies. The National Environment Agency (NEA) sent notices seeking documents and details of land concessions in Indonesia owned by the firms, their firefighting and blaze prevention measures, and their relationship to other relevant companies, according to a statement late Friday. The city-state has vowed legal action against companies responsible for the fires that have made regional air quality among the world’s worst. Companies implicated in the NEA's probe include Singapore Exchange-listed First Resources and Singapore-registered Asia Pulp and Paper. Kuala Lumpur and Singapore again ranked within the world’s top 10 most polluted major cities late Friday, according to Swiss-based air monitor IQAir.