Bardjan, Jakarta – Singapore is considering legal action against companies suspected of causing or allowing fires that send haze across national borders, as air pollution from Indonesian wildfires worsens and parts of the city-state record very unhealthy air quality.

Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu said on Wednesday, October 14, that the government was collecting data and keeping its options open under Singapore's Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.

Singapore considers penalties under haze pollution law

Singapore introduced the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act in 2014 to hold companies accountable for fires they cause or condone if the resulting haze keeps the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) in the unhealthy range for at least 24 hours.

The latest deterioration in air quality has renewed attention on the law. At 9 p.m. on Wednesday, the 24-hour PSI in western Singapore reached 203, entering the very unhealthy range for the first time during the current haze episode.

Readings across the island ranged from 127 to 211 at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, with western Singapore recording the highest level.

PSI readings of 201 to 300 are classified as very unhealthy, while readings above 300 are considered hazardous and can trigger school closures.

The Straits Times reported on October 12 that Singapore had experienced several haze episodes since September 4 in which air quality crossed the threshold specified under the law. Authorities assess satellite imagery, wind conditions and meteorological data to determine whether smoke from fires could reach Singapore.

Companies found guilty can face fines of up to S$100,000 a day, capped at S$2 million.

Singapore cites enforcement hurdles in haze cases

However, enforcing the law has proved difficult. Singapore invoked it following record-breaking smog in 2015, but its environment ministry subsequently said it had struggled to obtain information from Indonesian authorities about companies suspected of illegal burning. Four companies remain under investigation, according to reports.

Fu also expressed hope that Indonesia could contain the fires, citing dry conditions associated with the El Nino weather phenomenon.

"We hope that the Indonesian authorities are able to contain the fires. It's a very difficult year because of El Nino," Fu said, according to local media reports, as quoted by South China Morning Post.

"The weather has been very dry and we know that the issues are very complex. We wish them well and we stand ready to assist them where we can."

Fu said Singapore had yet to receive an update from Jakarta on its offer of assistance, which she said could take any form Indonesia considered necessary. She also called for regional cooperation through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to address the haze.

Singapore expands public health measures

Singapore began distributing N95 masks to vulnerable residents on October 14, earlier than initially planned, as fine particulate matter known as PM2.5 rose sharply, particularly in the western part of the city-state.

Eligible recipients include senior citizens, pregnant women, children, teenagers and people with medical conditions such as asthma. Authorities are also opening air-conditioned spaces at community clubs and selected residents' committee centres to provide temporary relief from the haze.

The National Environment Agency said Singapore's haze task force was coordinating with retailers to replenish mask supplies and keep them available to the public. The agency said both retailers and the government had sufficient stocks.

According to South China Morning Post, the worsening pollution has also driven demand for air purifiers and face masks. Several models sold by brands including Xiaomi and Dyson were listed as out of stock on their websites, while appliance retailer Gain City reported that air purifier sales had risen to around nine times their usual levels since the haze season began in August.

Some lawmakers have also cancelled constituency visits as pollution worsened.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2121670/singapore-open-to-legal-action-against-firms-over-indonesian-haz