As Singapore experiences unhealthy air quality amid the return of transboundary haze, SIIA Chairman Simon Tay comments on the role of Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) and the immediate response to the fires.
Speaking to The Straits Times, he says the Act remains useful even if a case does not end in prosecution, as it can trigger questions, investigations and accountability.
He notes, however, that Indonesia has the primary responsibility to tackle the fires, and that the priority should be cooperation between governments and with companies to control them. Mr Tay also points out that Indonesia has had reservations about Singapore enforcing its laws outside its borders through the Act.
“Act first on the fires. Establish accountability when the facts are clearer,” he says.
Read the full article:
The Straits Times, 12 October 2026: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/unhealthy-air-quality-in-spore-sufficient-to-trigger-haze-pollution-law-nea-is-monitoring-situation
The Business Times, 12 October 2026: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/unhealthy-air-quality-singapore-enough-trigger-haze-pollution-law-nea-monitoring-situation
