S’pore to use ‘every legal and regulatory lever’ to exert pressure on haze-causing companies: Shanmugam
In the strongest statement yet by the Singapore authorities about the haze that has blanketed the country for more than a month, Senior Minister K. Shanmugam said the Government will pursue the companies responsible “for as long as it takes”.
It is not the Singapore approach to “shiver in our shoes” before taking action to protect our own people, he added during a media doorstop on Monday (19 Oct).
Source: gov.sg on Facebook
Worsening haze ‘unacceptable’, affecting S’poreans’ health: Shanmugam
Mr Shanmugam, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Minister, noted that Singaporeans are “deeply frustrated” by the worsening haze, which is seriously affecting our health.
The situation is “unacceptable”, he said, adding that this was “not simply an act of nature” but a problem driven by companies pursuing profits.
Thus, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has directed that the Government give the matter “its fullest attention” and take stronger action.
Source: Calvin Shang on Facebook
Shanmugam outlines further steps against haze-causing companies
Thus, further steps will be taken against the companies that may be responsible, Mr Shanmugam said, referring to “legal, regulatory, and economic measures” being considered.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has already issued legal notices under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act to 10 companies whose lands are believed to have hosted haze-causing fires.
Although the companies are all in Indonesia, there are other actions that Singapore can take, for example, seeing who these companies are linked to, either in Singapore or internationally.
We can also look beyond individual concession holders to large corporate groups and the people who control them, the minister noted.
Singapore can try to go after groups linked to the companies as well, he added.
7 S’pore-listed companies queried over links to haze
As an example, Mr Shanmugam said the Singapore Exchange (SGX) has already asked seven Singapore-listed agri-companies about their links to the haze:
- Golden-Agri Resources
- Bumitama Agri
- First Resources
- Wilmar
- Kencana Agri
- Indofood Agri
- TSH Resources
Singapore will also check whether the companies are enjoying benefits in Singapore, such as Government grants or incentives.
Banks that have lent funds to these companies have also queried them, with the minister noting that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has supervisory jurisdiction over the banks to make sure that they manage their risks properly.
For one of the companies, First Resources, a statement it issued on its zero-burning policy and firefighting efforts was “not good enough”, and evidence needs to be shown, he noted, adding:
Companies cannot play hide and seek with different corporate structures. Nor should they hope that because the evidence and actions are in Indonesia, they can escape responsibility in Singapore.
Source: Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana on Facebook
Asia Pulp and Paper linked to 3 companies, issued restrictions
Mr Shanmugam noted that Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) buys from three of the companies that NEA has sent notices to.
“We will drill into this further,” he said.
The Singapore Environment Council (SEC) has already issued APP a Notice of Temporary Restrictions on its green label, subjecting it to daily reporting on fire response and strict monitoring.
The company’s green label may be suspended if its additional reporting is unable to demonstrate that strengthened monitoring, fire prevention and suppression measures are implemented effectively.
Companies shouldn’t underestimate S’pore’s determination
Asked what would happen if the companies claim that such problems are very complex, Mr Shanmugam said they “should not underestimate the Singapore Government’s determination to act”.
Singapore will use “every legal and regulatory lever” to exert pressure at various points, including their bottom lines, access to financing, and standing with investors, he maintained.
If necessary, Singapore will even amend current legislation or introduce new laws.
The companies should not think they can “simply wait for the haze to clear” and return to business as usual, he noted, resolving:
We will pursue this matter for as long as it takes.
Source: gov.sg on Facebook
Not S’pore approach to ‘shiver in our shoes’
Another reporter referred to a Channel NewsAsia (CNA) report that quoted lawyers warning of diplomatic implications should Singapore take action against haze-causing companies.
To that, Mr Shanmugam asked what these experts think Singapore is supposed to do.
It is not the Republic’s approach to “shiver in our shoes before we take any action to protect our own people”, he maintained, adding:
If we think like that, there will be no Singapore, and we do not think there should be any bilateral issues.
He pointed out that the Indonesian public is suffering too, so it is also in Indonesia’s interest to deal with these companies.
Indonesian official’s comments ‘disappointing’
Mr Shanmugam also described comments made by the head of Indonesia’s Government Communications Agency as “disappointing”.
The official had said that when there is no haze, Indonesia sends oxygen, as the oxygen in Singapore and Malaysia also “comes from [their] forests”.
Source: KOMPAS.com
Saying the remarks were “not right”, the Senior Minister did not think his views were held by many others in the Indonesian Government or the broader public, according to the reactions.
Mr Shanmugam said he appreciated that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and his administration was focused on the problem, with Mr Prabowo personally expressing commitment to tackling the haze.
This included appointing a new head for the country’s firefighting and disaster relief agency and implementing directives to prohibit slash-and-burn practices on peatland.
He also welcomed Mr Prabowo’s approval of foreign firefighting assistance, saying Singapore will “do its part” to support.
Also read: NEA sends legal notices to 3 more companies in Indonesia over haze-causing fires
NEA sends legal notices to 3 more companies in Indonesia over haze-causing fires
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from gov.sg on Facebook and Calvin Shang on Facebook.
