Singapore targets 3 more Indonesian firms in haze crackdown

Singapore Targets More Firms Over Haze

Singapore's government has escalated its response to severe transboundary haze, with the National Environment Agency (NEA) issuing notices to three more Indonesian companies on Monday, 19 October 2026. These firms, PT Buana Megatama Jaya, PT Mananjung Hayak, and PT Baratama Putra Perkasa, are suspected of links to fires causing haze.

The NEA stated that smoke from concessions held by these companies in Kalimantan, Indonesia, appears to have reached Singapore. This action follows similar notices sent to seven other companies on Friday, 16 October 2026, as Singapore confronts its most significant air pollution challenge in over ten years.

The enforcement efforts are part of a broader strategy to mitigate the impact of wildfires, exacerbated by dry conditions linked to the powerful El Niño weather pattern.

Legal Framework and Penalties for Pollution

The notices were issued under Singapore's Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, a legislative instrument designed to hold companies accountable for pollution originating outside its borders. Under this law, notified firms are mandated to deploy firefighters to control blazes within their concessions.

Non-compliance or culpability for haze-causing fires can result in substantial financial penalties, with Singaporean authorities empowered to fine companies up to S$100,000 for each day of pollution.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, in a statement last week, affirmed the government's commitment to investigating companies responsible for these fires and warned of potential legal action against those found to be at fault.

This underscores a more assertive stance compared to 2015, when enforcement efforts faced challenges in obtaining information from Indonesian counterparts.

Corporate Responses and Supply Chain Scrutiny

One of the recently notified firms, PT Buana Megatama Jaya, is identified as a supplier to APP Group, a major entity in the pulp and paper industry. Two of the companies that received notices on Friday were also suppliers to APP. In a written response, APP Group clarified that the notices from Singapore were preventive measures and did not signify a finding of wrongdoing.

The company committed to collaborating with its relevant suppliers to contain existing fires, prevent new outbreaks, and reinforce its zero-burning policy across operations. APP Group also highlighted its substantial investment in fire management initiatives, totalling nearly US$300 million over the past decade, demonstrating a long-term commitment to mitigating fire risks.

Regional Air Quality Concerns and Historical Context

Air quality levels in Singapore have deteriorated significantly this month. NEA data for Monday, 19 October 2026, showed the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reaching 114. This figure, which the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act monitors, is lower than peaks observed last week, when some areas of the city-state recorded levels exceeding 200.

Concurrently, figures from the Indonesian meteorology agency indicated extreme particulate matter levels in Pangkalanbun, Kalimantan, peaking above 1,000 on Monday. Levels exceeding 250 are considered dangerous.

Singapore previously attempted to enforce its transboundary haze law in 2015, but its environment ministry reported difficulties in acquiring information from Indonesian authorities regarding suspected illegal burning. A decade later, four companies from that period remain under investigation.

Implications for Regional Industry Operations

The intensified enforcement by Singapore signals elevated operational and regulatory risks for companies with land concessions in Indonesia, particularly those in the palm oil, pulp, and paper sectors. Decision-makers in these industries should anticipate increased scrutiny on their land management practices and supply chain transparency.

The potential for daily fines of S$100,000 per pollution incident, coupled with the requirement to deploy firefighting resources, directly impacts operational costs and profitability. Companies must ensure robust fire prevention and suppression strategies are in place, as regulatory bodies are demonstrating a clear willingness to act on evidence of transboundary pollution.

The continued investigation of four firms from 2015 also suggests a long-term commitment to enforcement, indicating that these actions are not merely a short-term response to current haze conditions.