NEA reveals 3 more Indonesian companies linked to haze-causing fires

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has sent additional preventive measure notices under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) to an additional three companies in Indonesia, the agency said in a media release on Oct. 19.

This follows indications that smoke from fires in Kalimantan on lands held via concessions under these three companies in Indonesia could have moved to Singapore.

The three companies are:

1. PT Buana Megatama Jaya,
2. PT Mananjung Hayak, and
3. PT Baratama Putra Perkasa.

Earlier on Oct. 16, Environment Minister Grace Fu announced that notices would be sent out to seven companies in Indonesia, after investigations have suggested that some of the haze experienced in Singapore originated from fires on their lands.

According to NEA, the notices will require the companies to:

1. Deploy fire-fighting personnel to extinguish or prevent the spread of any fire on land owned or occupied by them;
2. Discontinue, or not commence, any burning activities on such land; and
3. Submit to NEA any plan of action to extinguish any fire on such land or to prevent its recurrence.

NEA said it remains committed to taking enforcement action against errant companies found responsible for causing transboundary haze in Singapore.

The seven companies previously identified on Oct. 16 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.

Three of them — PT Bumi Andalas Permai, PT Bumi Mekar Hijau and PT SBA Wood Industries — were similarly served preventive measure notices in 2015.