Haze offenders could face $20m penalties as Singapore expands powers over haze-linked firms, financiers and supply chains
Firms and individuals causing or contributing to land or forest fires that pose a risk of haze pollution in Singapore can face fines of up to $20 million under the revised Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) proposed in Parliament on Wednesday (Nov 4).Errant entities convicted of a haze-related offence can be fined up to $1 million per day, up from the $100,000 fine per day previously. The maximum aggregate fine has also been increased from $2 million to $20 million.Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu announced the amendments to the THPA in Parliament on Wednesday, highlighting the need for stronger penalties to deter the serious harm caused by transboundary haze and underscore the gravity of such offences.The higher penalties are among a suite of amendments to the THPA aimed at enabling earlier intervention, facilitating enforcement and enhancing deterrence.