Harsher penalties suggested for causing transboundary haze
SINGAPORE — After a month of collecting feedback about the proposed Transboundary Haze Pollution Bill in a public consultation exercise, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) has released its key findings today (June 27).
South-east Asia experienced one of the worst episodes of haze last year. TODAY FILE PHOTO
SINGAPORE — After a month of collecting feedback about the proposed Transboundary Haze Pollution Bill in a public consultation exercise, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) has released its key findings today (June 27).
Among the feedback received were calls that the proposed penalty sums were too low.
Currently, the bill proposes that errant companies can be fined up to S$300,000 if their activities outside Singapore result in the island being blanketed by unhealthy levels of haze.
Other feedback received also raised the issue of diffiulties in obtaining evidence from overseas entities. This could affect the effectiveness of the bill’s enforcement.
MEWR conducted its public consultation from February to March this year. A total of 52 pieces of feedback were received, the majority of which came from members of the public.
Some feedback gathered will be used to amend parts of the Bill, and the proposed Bill is likely to be tabled in Parliament next month.
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