Fine imposed if PSI hits 101 under proposed anti-haze law

SINGAPORE — The air quality threshold at which parties will be taken to task for causing transboundary haze affecting Singapore was spelled out yesterday, but Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan cautioned that the proposed law would be challenging to implement.

An offence would be deemed to have occurred if the Pollutant Standards Index in any part of Singapore hits 101 or more — venturing into the unhealthy range and beyond — for a 24-hour period or longer, Dr Balakrishnan said.

The Bill proposes a maximum fine of S$2 million for a party’s conduct that causes haze pollution here, from fines of up to S$100,000 for each day of pollution. Those who do not comply with notices to implement preventive measures could be fined up to S$50,000 a day.

Culprits need not have started the haze-causing fires to be liable — they need only be involved in managing the offending parties.

The Bill also allows notice to be served on firms that do not operate here to assist the National Environment Agency in investigations. Those made ill or who suffer economic loss from the haze may also sue the culprits.

Dr Balakrishnan said he does not anticipate an overwhelming number of prosecutions against companies when the law kicks in. This is because the Bill introduces new legal concepts to the law here. He also assured responsible businesses that they had nothing to fear.

Singapore’s proposed law is to complement other countries’ enforcement efforts and to deter firms from acting irresponsibly, he said. “It is only one of a slate of measures that we must put in place in order to tackle the transboundary haze that has plagued our region for many years.”

The Singapore Government has also told Indonesia that the Republic can provide a helicopter equipped with a heli-bucket to transport and discharge water to help fight fires. This is in addition to the haze assistance package offered in June — consisting of fire-fighting teams, a cloud-seeding aircraft, satellite images and planning assistance — that has not been taken up by Indonesia.

Two Members of Parliament yesterday backed the Bill but questioned if the financial penalties were a sufficient deterrent. Nee Soon GRC MP Lee Bee Wah said the fines should be doubled or tripled, with higher fines for repeat offenders.

Holland-Bukit Timah GRC MP Christopher De Souza said economic pressure should be applied on companies with slash-and-burn activities. He questioned how consumers could be made more aware about products made by errant companies. The debate on the Bill continues today.