S'pore govt to create specialist panel to investigate companies likely linked to transboundary haze

The Singapore government will seek to identify and hold accountable companies that may be responsible for, or have contributed to, the fires causing haze in Singapore, announced the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) in a press release from Oct. 23.

MinLaw said it will examine the conduct of local and foreign companies, as well as their relationships and supply chains, to establish whether they have been involved in causing or condoning the fires that contributed to the haze.

These companies will be required to provide complete access to information and other relevant facts about their operations, supply chains and corporate group structures to ensure that they are not involved in causing or condoning the fires.

Specialist panel created

To facilitate this, the Singapore government will create a Specialist Panel of experts comprising law firms, audit firms and investigative firms with expertise in cross-border inquiries and investigations.

"Companies identified by the government will be required to engage professionals from the panel to conduct thorough inquiries into their operations, corporate relationships, and supply chains, and to submit thorough audits to the Government," as mentioned in the press release.

The panel will assist the government to establish the facts, which includes where complex corporate structures and commercial arrangements span multiple jurisdictions.

Local law firm Davinder Singh Chambers (DSC LLC) has been appointed as advisor to the government.

Its role is to advise on coordinating the work of the panel experts, to ensure the necessary inquiries and investigations are properly conducted across different jurisdictions.

The findings of these inquiries will be assessed by the relevant government agencies and the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

Other regulatory agencies in Singapore, including the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the National Environment Agency will be following up on this matter.

More details will be released in the coming week.