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Singapore sends notice to four Indonesian firms for contributing to haze pollution

Xinhua, September 26, 2015 Adjust font size:

Singapore government has written to four Indonesian companies for contributing to haze pollution as provided for under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA), said Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources on Friday.

According to THPA, haze pollution is said to have occurred if the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) remains at 101 or higher for 24 continuous hours or longer. Haze pollution has occurred for four periods since Sept. 10 as prescribed under the THPA.

Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) is conducting investigations and the gathering of evidence into these four haze periods. This is done through the close monitoring of hotspots and smoke plumes from fires in the region, drawing on information from sources such as maps, meteorological data and satellite imagery.

Pursuant to Section 9 of the THPA, NEA has sent Preventive Measure Notices to the four companies, namely PT Rimba Hutani Mas, PT Sebangun Bumi Andalas Wood Industries, PT Bumi Sriwijaya Sentosa and PT Wachyuni Mandira.

NEA requested these four companies to deploy fire-fighting personnel to extinguish or prevent the spread of any fire on land owned or occupied by them, discontinue any burning activities on such land, as well as submit any plan of action to NEA.

NEA also wrote to its Indonesian counterpart on Thursday, requesting assistance for the investigation.

Singapore's Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan told media on Friday that while Indonesia has taken some positive measures, in combating haze, more needs to be done. He emphasized that haze was not a natural disaster but a man- made problem that should not be tolerated.

Singapore government is currently examining how to apply more economic pressure against errant companies. Minister Balakrishnan said that the results of NEA's investigations will be shared with the public, particularly because the THPA makes errant companies liable for civil claims. Endi