Singapore hikes haze fines to $20m for preventing pollution

The Singapore government has introduced a Bill to amend the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA), proposing a significant expansion of investigative powers and a tenfold increase in financial penalties for companies linked to regional forest fires. The legislation, tabled under a certificate of urgency signed by the President, seeks to shift the legal threshold from reacting to unhealthy air quality to preventing potential pollution. Expanded Investigative and Enforcement Powers Under the proposed amendments, the Director-General of Environmental Protection will be granted the authority to require firms suspected of links to haze pollution to appoint private-sector assessors. Failure to comply with this directive may result in fines of up to $20 million upon conviction. The Bill addresses procedural obstacles regarding overseas entities by allowing the service of legal documents via electronic means, such as email, or through publication on the National Environment Agency (NEA) website and in the media. Additionally, the Deputy-General of Environmental Protection and authorized officers will be empowered to arrest individuals within Singapore to secure cooperation. The amendments also allow court hearings to proceed in Singapore even if the accused parties are located outside the country.