Over 50 haze-related questions submitted by 30 MPs for November 2026 parliament sitting

More than 50 haze-related questions have been filed by over 30 Members of Parliament (MPs) and Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) for oral answers in preparation for the parliament sitting on Nov. 3.

According to the order paper, Mothership, most of the questions are about around Singapore's legal, regulatory and economic responses to the haze and the companies that allegedly contributed to the pollution.

This includes whether the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) 2014 is effectively enforced.

Another repeatedly raised question was the status of investigations into the four companies allegedly responsible for the 2015 peatland and forest fires in Indonesia, which caused one of Singapore's worst haze events on record.

These questions come after the government said it would examine the adequacy of the THPA and consider ushering in changes to current haze laws following the ongoing bout of haze since September.

Transboundary Haze Pollution Act 2014

Passed in 2014, the THPA is a law that targets entities such as businesses that engage in activities that cause or contribute to haze pollution in Singapore.

If found guilty, the entities may face a maximum fine of S$100,000 for every day that there is haze pollution in Singapore.

The law comes into effect and can be enforced when the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) remains in the unhealthy range for more than 24 hours in any part of Singapore.

Despite preventive measure notices issued to a multitude of firms in 2015 and 2026, no fines or convictions have been issued.

Two of the cases from 2015 were closed, while four of the six are still open.

Questions from both sides of house

Following the order paper's arrangement, some of the summarised standout questions from MPs of the People's Action Party (PAP) and Workers' Party (WP) include:

• PAP MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, Tin Pei Ling, on the number of preventive notices issued under THPA to date since September 2026 and what actions have been taken to hold companies responsible for causing the fires in Indonesia accountable
• PAP MP for Tampines GRC, Charlene Chen, on whether the THPA adequately establishes haze-causing entities' liability and if amendments to the law are needed to address any identified gaps
• WP MP for Aljunied GRC, Sylvia Lim, on updates to the 2015 investigations into the four companies and the specific impediments preventing a resolution to the case after 11 years.
• Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Neo Kok Beng, on whether the government will require Singapore-listed companies operating plantations regionally to submit plans on the prevention and mitigation of fire
• WP MP for Aljunied GRC, Kenneth Tiong, on how many money-laundering investigations have concerned proceeds of foreign illegal land clearing since November 2024
• PAP MP for Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, Sharael Taha, on whether the government will convene a coordinated framework with relevant agencies to hold companies accountable

An adjournment motion has also been filed by WP's MP for Sengkang GRC, He Ting Ru, on strengthening Singapore's role in regional clean air amid transboundary haze, to be heard in parliament on Nov. 3.