Singapore Amends Haze Law: Private Assessors to Probe Firms, Fines Up to 20 Million Singapore Dollars
Singapore amended its transboundary haze legislation on November 4 to empower the government in investigations into business practices that cause air pollution. Environment Minister Grace Fu said that following the recent haze episode, the status quo is no longer tenable.
The changes let the government appoint private sector assessors to investigate companies with suspected links to haze pollution. Companies found guilty of contributing to the haze may be fined up to 1 million Singapore dollars per day, up to a maximum of 20 million. Singapore has issued notices to 10 Singapore-registered companies seeking information on their operations and potential haze links, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore has warned banks to impose conditions on, or even end relationships with, companies that may have breached environmental laws.
On November 3, Singapore said it would work with ASEAN member states to strengthen implementation of the transboundary haze agreement when it chairs the bloc next year.
(Source: Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Singapore)
Source: Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Singapore
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
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