Singapore vows tougher legal action against companies linked to haze

Singapore is threatening to prosecute companies responsible for the persistent haze blanketing Southeast Asia, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stating that joint action with other countries is being explored. Senior Minister K Shanmugam warned that new laws may be introduced to hold companies accountable for fires in Indonesia, affecting their finances and investor standing.

Wong said his government was distributing masks to vulnerable citizens and working with regional countries to address the smoke, while investigating companies potentially responsible.

Shanmugam indicated that investigations show links between Singapore-based companies and those issued notices by the National Environment Agency (NEA), including Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) which buys from some of them. Singapore-listed companies First Resources, Bumitama Agri, and First Borneo Plantations are also under scrutiny, with the Singapore Exchange (SGX) seeking clarification from seven agricultural firms.