NEA monitoring haze situation closely; probes into 4 firms over 2015 haze situation still ongoing

The National Environment Agency (NEA) is monitoring the haze situation in Singapore closely and gathering information on fire hotspots, their sources, and their impact on air quality.

The agency was responding to media queries on Oct. 12 on whether any action would be taken under Singapore's Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, as reported in The Straits Times (ST).

During the severe haze back in 2015, NEA identified fires on concession lands linked to six companies.

All of them were issued legal notices under the Act.

Investigations into two of the companies were later closed after NEA accepted their explanations that they were no longer associated with the affected land when the fires occurred.

However, the other four Indonesian companies are still under investigation: PT Bumi Andalas Permai, PT Bumi Mekar Hijau, PT Sebangun Bumi Andalas Wood Industries and PT Rimba Hutani Mas, CNA reported.

Due to the ongoing investigations, NEA said it is unable to provide further details.

Regional cooperation remains crucial

Regional cooperation within Asean is vital in resolving transboundary haze pollution, said NEA.

According to ST, the agency highlighted the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre, which is hosted by the Meteorological Service Singapore under the NEA.

The centre monitors and assesses land and forest fires, tracks satellite imagery and hotspots, and issues early warning advisories on the hotspot and smoke haze situation.

NEA is also in touch with the Jakarta-based Interim Asean Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control, which is responsible for managing and mitigating the regional fire and haze situation and coordinating responses among Asean member states.

The centre also has the capacity to mobilise resources in response to the haze.

The Transboundary Haze Pollution Act

The Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, which came into force in September 2014, covers conduct that causes or contributes to haze pollution in Singapore.

Under the act, a poor air quality episode occurs when:

• The air quality index for any part of Singapore reaches the prescribed level or higher; and
• For the next 24 hours or longer, the index for the same or any other part of Singapore stays at or reaches that level or higher.

An entity shall be considered guilty of an offence if it engages in conduct, whether in or outside Singapore, that causes or contributes to haze pollution in Singapore.

It is also an offence to condone such conduct by another entity or individual.

There also has to be haze pollution in Singapore at or around the time of the conduct.

If found guilty of causing or contributing to transboundary haze pollution, a company can be fined up to S$100,000 a day, capped at S$2 million.

Current haze situation

The 24-hour PSI has been in the unhealthy range in at least one region of Singapore since Oct. 5.

As of 10am on Oct. 13, the 24-hour PSI reading sits in the "Unhealthy" range.

The west and central regions recorded the highest readings, at 172 and 170 respectively.