The latest notices follow remarks by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu last Friday that NEA would take action against more companies if there were indications that fires on their land had contributed to transboundary haze in Singapore.
Speaking at a press conference, Ms Fu said the agency would monitor the companies' responses to the notices and consider further measures under the THPA where warranted.
She said fines or charges were among the options being considered, adding that the government would assess the effectiveness of its actions.
Ms Fu also acknowledged the practical challenges of investigating transboundary haze offences, particularly when the companies involved operate outside Singapore.
"It is not easy. I will be the first to admit, but we must try," she said.
The seven companies that received notices last Friday were PT Bumi Andalas Permai, PT Bumi Mekar Hijau, PT Paramitra Mulia Langgeng, PT Sumatera Alam Anugerah, PT SBA Wood Industries, PT Hutan Lestari Raya and PT Bangkanesia.
Some of the companies had previously come under scrutiny during earlier haze episodes.
Singapore's THPA, which came into force in 2014, allows authorities to take legal action against companies whose activities overseas cause or contribute to haze pollution in Singapore.
Companies found guilty of causing or contributing to transboundary haze can face fines of up to S$100,000 for each day or part of a day that the haze persists, capped at S$2 million.
The law also provides for penalties against companies that fail to comply with preventive measure notices.
NEA had issued legal notices to six companies in Indonesia over the severe haze crisis in 2015, with investigations into four of those firms still ongoing.
Continue reading...
Speaking at a press conference, Ms Fu said the agency would monitor the companies' responses to the notices and consider further measures under the THPA where warranted.
She said fines or charges were among the options being considered, adding that the government would assess the effectiveness of its actions.
Ms Fu also acknowledged the practical challenges of investigating transboundary haze offences, particularly when the companies involved operate outside Singapore.
"It is not easy. I will be the first to admit, but we must try," she said.
The seven companies that received notices last Friday were PT Bumi Andalas Permai, PT Bumi Mekar Hijau, PT Paramitra Mulia Langgeng, PT Sumatera Alam Anugerah, PT SBA Wood Industries, PT Hutan Lestari Raya and PT Bangkanesia.
Some of the companies had previously come under scrutiny during earlier haze episodes.
Singapore's THPA, which came into force in 2014, allows authorities to take legal action against companies whose activities overseas cause or contribute to haze pollution in Singapore.
Companies found guilty of causing or contributing to transboundary haze can face fines of up to S$100,000 for each day or part of a day that the haze persists, capped at S$2 million.
The law also provides for penalties against companies that fail to comply with preventive measure notices.
NEA had issued legal notices to six companies in Indonesia over the severe haze crisis in 2015, with investigations into four of those firms still ongoing.
Continue reading...