KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 19): Singapore will use “every legal and regulatory lever” against companies responsible for the haze choking the region, the Business Times reported, citing Senior Minister K Shanmugam.
Government agencies are considering legal, regulatory and economic measures to exert pressure on the companies, including on their bottom lines, access to financing and standing with investors, he was reported as saying by the Singapore business newspaper on Monday.
“Companies cannot play hide and seek with different corporate structures,” Shanmugam was quoted as saying. “Nor should they hope that because the evidence and actions are in Indonesia, they can escape responsibility in Singapore.”
Toxic smog from ongoing massive wildfires in Indonesia has spread beyond its borders, blanketing the skies over Singapore and several Malaysian cities. Indonesia blamed the fires on natural phenomena during the El Niño weather conditions, while downplaying the scale of the disaster.
A report by Greenpeace published in October identified firms with ties to Singapore and Malaysia as owners of the land in Indonesia where forest and peatland fires are burning.
Existing laws will be changed or new laws introduced on an urgent basis to ensure further cooperation, and authorities will continue pursuing the matter even after the haze has cleared up, Shanmugam reportedly said.
“We will also examine whether the companies that are said to be linked to the haze are in any way enjoying benefits in Singapore,” such as government grants and incentives, the Straits Times quoted him as saying.