Parliament unanimously passed tougher haze legislation on 4 November 2026 after about six hours of debate involving 24 MPs. The amendments raise the maximum fine for the main haze offence tenfold, from S$2 million to S$20 million, and allow the authorities to act against fires that threaten to send haze to Singapore before the smoke reaches here.
Three Entities From 2015 Surface in Current Probe
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu told Parliament that three of the four entities whose cases remain open from the 2015 haze had also been identified in the investigation into this year’s episode. She said investigators would consider their past actions as they examine the current case.
Workers’ Party Non-Constituency MP Eileen Chong supported the Bill but questioned why the Government had taken about a decade to propose the changes, Mothership reported. Fu said procedural problems had slowed the four outstanding cases from 2015 and that the authorities would continue looking for ways to obtain evidence.
Fu also said all 10 Singapore-based companies issued notices in the current investigation had responded and agreed to appoint assessors. Under the amended law, the authorities will be able to require entities with suspected links to haze pollution to hire private-sector experts at their own expense. Those experts will report directly to the National Environment Agency (NEA).
How the New Powers Will Work
The Government will be able to restrict business dealings with entities it formally designates under the amended law. Those restrictions could cover loans, other financial support, and the buying or selling of goods and services. Fu said the Government could impose such restrictions before a criminal conviction and would give entities a chance to make their case before designating them.
Fu said the higher fines would apply only to conduct after the amendments take effect. The authorities can still consider earlier conduct when deciding whether to require an assessor or designate an entity for possible business restrictions. Improved procedures can also help with investigations into offences under the existing law.
Fu said obtaining and verifying evidence overseas would remain difficult even with the new powers. She said preventing and controlling fires where they start would still depend on cooperation with neighbouring countries.
