Singapore to review haze law, considers amendments or new legislation

Singapore is examining the adequacy of its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act as part of efforts to strengthen its regulatory framework against cross-border air pollution. Environment and Water Resources Minister Grace Fu indicated that the government will not hesitate to introduce new laws or amend existing legislation if the review determines such measures are necessary.

The review comes as Singapore continues to grapple with seasonal haze episodes, primarily driven by land-clearing fires in neighbouring Indonesia. The existing act, which came into force in 2014, currently allows Singapore to take legal action against foreign entities responsible for transboundary haze pollution that affects the city-state.

Fu's statement signals the government's proactive stance in addressing air quality challenges and ensuring that Singapore has sufficient legal tools to combat haze pollution. The review process will likely assess whether current provisions adequately address evolving sources of pollution and whether enforcement mechanisms remain effective.

No timeline has been announced for the completion of the review, though the government's openness to legislative reform suggests Singapore remains committed to tackling the recurring haze problem that has affected the region for decades.

Photo: Singapore minister Grace Fu at an EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement trade committee meeting in Brussels, July 2024. Lukasz Kobus / European Union via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).