Singapore Eyes Stronger Transboundary Haze Law To Address Enforcement Gaps

By Anas Abu Hassan

SINGAPORE, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Singapore is looking to strengthen the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) to address the enforcement gaps in haze-related issues, said Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu.

She said the objective is to strengthen corporate accountability and enhance the republic’s ability to investigate and take decisive action against those responsible for transboundary haze.

Fu said the government is examining the adequacy of its existing law and is open to strengthening legislation including THPA, as well as making amendments or introducing new laws where necessary.

"Where our laws need to be strengthened, we will strengthen them.

"We are also prepared to use a wider range of legal, regulatory and economic measures," she said during the opening of Sustainable Procurement Forum on Tuesday.

Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) has recently served notices on 10 Indonesian companies and 10 Singapore-registered companies under the existing THPA over their suspected involvement in forest fires and transboundary haze.

The notices, among other things, require the companies to provide details of their land concessions, corporate linkages and measures taken to prevent or combat fires during the dry season.

According to Fu, enforcing the law across borders presents two practical challenges, which is to gather the evidence needed and securing cooperation from companies outside Singapore.

"First, serving the notice itself can be difficult. Under international law, we cannot simply exercise Singapore’s enforcement powers in another jurisdiction.

"Second, even if a notice is served, enforcement can remain difficult if an overseas company refuses to comply and none of its officers enter Singapore," she added.

-- BERNAMA