As It Happened: Parliament Passes Tougher Haze Law, Raising Maximum Fine to S$20 Million
The law expands investigative powers, allows business restrictions and raises maximum fines to S$20 million, officials said.
- On Wednesday, Parliament passed amendments to the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, raising maximum fines tenfold to S$20 million and granting the government expanded powers to investigate companies linked to forest fires.
- Lawmakers fast-tracked the Bill following the 2026 haze episode, when air quality reached "very unhealthy" levels as peatlands in Indonesia were burned for plantation land, prompting urgent legislative action.
- The Act now includes "the risk of haze" as an offence, allowing authorities to penalize entities even before smoke reaches Singapore, with daily fines reaching S$1 million and aggregate maximums capped at S$20 million.
- Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said the government can now place entities on notice, restricting business dealings with firms linked to irresponsible forestry to create "real commercial consequences" for non-compliance.
- While MPs questioned the 11-year delay in strengthening the law, investigations into four companies will continue under the previous framework, as the amendments are not retroactive despite enhanced enforcement powers.
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These amendments, which have been adopted without difficulty, come after several weeks of air pollution caused by huge fires in neighbouring Indonesia affecting forest areas and peatlands, and which have provoked the anger of Singaporeans and given rise to calls for action. "We need better means to obtain and verify information, trace complex relationships between companies and impose significant (measures) on entities that behave inappropriatel…
Parliament Unanimously Passes Haze Bill Raising Maximum Fine to S$20 Million
Grace Fu said three of the four entities still under investigation over the 2015 haze have also surfaced in the 2026 probe. All 10 Singapore-based companies served notices in the current probe have agreed to appoint assessors.
Singapore to toughen anti-haze law with arrest powers
SINGAPORE — Singapore's legislature moved on Wednesday to toughen its anti-haze law with arrest powers, bigger fines and potential restrictions on companies linked to transboundary air pollution from wildfires.
Singapore toughens haze law with arrest powers, bigger fines
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s parliament toughened on Wednesday its anti-haze law with arrest powers, bigger fines and potential restrictions on companies linked to transboundary air pollution from wildfires. The changes, which passed without dissent, come after weeks of air pollution from fires in neighboring Indonesia angered Singaporeans and sparked calls for action. “We need better ways to obtain and verify information, trace complex corporate rela…
Singapore raises fines 10 times for haze offences, says status quo ‘not tenable’
Singapore’s parliament on Wednesday passed tougher penalties against companies responsible for forest fires in Indonesia, including curbs on related business dealings, as the city state doubles down on enforcement following one of its worst haze episodes in more than a decade. The amended Transboundary Pollution Haze Act will see penalties on such companies increase tenfold to a maximum fine of S$1 million (US$780,000) a day, capped at a total o…
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