Singapore plans to strengthen haze law to close enforcement gaps, Grace Fu says

Singapore is examining whether its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act is adequate and could amend it or introduce new laws where necessary, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said at a forum on Tuesday, CNA and The Straits Times reported. "Where our laws need to be strengthened, we will strengthen them," she said.

Fu named two hurdles to enforcement: gathering and verifying evidence held overseas, and securing cooperation from companies outside Singapore. She said a company should not be able to frustrate an investigation by refusing to cooperate or staying outside the country. Singapore has served notices under the law on 10 Indonesian firms and 10 Singapore-registered palm oil or forestry companies during the current haze episode.

Why it matters: The law was last used in 2015, when no firms were sued or fined, so changes could decide whether Singapore can penalize anyone for fires across the border in Indonesia.