Haze: Govt seeking views on new bill to fine local, foreign companies responsible

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources is seeking public views on a draft Transboundary Haze Pollution Bill which will introduce new legislative measures against errant companies in or outside of Singapore that cause or contribute to haze here.

The consultation period will last for a month from today (Feb 19) until Mar 19.

Under some proposed features of the Bill, a penalty of up to S$300,000 may be imposed on anyone or any company — both foreign or Singapore-linked — whose conduct causes or contributes to haze in Singapore. This will be increased up to S$450,000 if the entity has deliberately ignored requests by authorities to take appropriate action to prevent, reduce or control haze pollution.

The Bill will cover the operations of all Singapore and non-Singapore companies whose activities inside or outside of the country contributes to haze here.

Affected parties may also bring civil suits against errant entities involved in causing or contributing to the haze in Singapore.

There is currently no law in the world that allows a country to prosecute commercial entities in other countries for such offences.