PM Lawrence Wong Threatens Legal Action
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pledged to identify companies suspected of being responsible for the fires that have shrouded the city-state in haze for weeks. He warned that companies proven guilty could face legal action.
"The haze originates from forest and peatland fires in Indonesia, worsened by a prolonged dry spell," Wong said in a Facebook post on Thursday (10/15) night.
"We are investigating which companies may be responsible for these fires. If needed, we will take action under Singapore's Transboundary Haze Pollution Act," he said.
Wong also said Singapore is exploring possible joint action with other countries. The law targets parties responsible for fires when the haze pushes the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) into unhealthy levels for at least 24 hours.
Seven Indonesian Companies Warned
Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) issued Preventive Measure Notices to seven Indonesian companies linked to forest and land fires behind the transboundary haze. The announcement was made by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on Friday, October 16, 2026.
The seven companies receiving the notices are 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.
The seven forestry and timber-plantation companies operate in South Sumatra and the Bangka Belitung Islands. NEA said the companies were identified using maps, meteorological data, and satellite imagery.
The companies were asked to prevent fires from spreading and to submit plans detailing fire-management and prevention measures so the incidents do not recur.
Two APP Group Suppliers in Spotlight
Two companies on the list, PT Bumi Andalas Permai and PT Bumi Mekar Hijau, operate plantations in South Sumatra. Both are recorded as suppliers to APP Group, a major player in the pulp and paper industry.
Bumi Andalas Permai and Bumi Mekar Hijau have not responded to requests for comment. An APP Group spokesperson also did not respond to confirmation requests.
Haze from fires in Indonesia has also blanketed Singapore and Malaysia. Dry conditions worsened by the El Nino phenomenon are raising fire risks across the region.
Amid the situation, the Singapore government said it is ready to help Indonesia tackle the forest fires. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has also approved foreign assistance to support firefighting efforts.
Worsening Air Quality, Fines Loom
At 6 a.m. local time on Friday, the PSI across Singapore ranged from 145 to 221, with the central region recording the highest. Air quality is categorized very unhealthy when the index reaches 201 or higher.
Hourly PM2.5 concentrations in western Singapore reached 288, the highest since 2015. IQAir data ranked Singapore the most polluted city in the world on Friday (10/16) morning.
Under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act in force since September 2014, companies proven responsible face fines of up to 100,000 Singapore dollars, or about Rp1.2 billion per day.
The rule allows Singapore authorities to take legal action against companies causing haze pollution, including when the companies' activities take place abroad.
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