Singapore proposes raising maximum haze fine to S$20 million
The changes would also introduce civil penalties of up to S$10 million and allow enforcement before haze reaches Singapore.
Companies responsible for overseas fires that threaten Singapore with haze could face a maximum fine of S$20 million under proposed changes to the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act. Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu presented the proposals in Parliament on Nov. 4.
The daily maximum for the main offence would rise from S$100,000 to S$1 million, while the overall cap would increase from S$2 million to S$20 million. Courts would also be able to order additional penalties tied to profits obtained or losses avoided through an offence. Other penalties under the law would rise proportionately.
A proposed civil framework would let the National Environment Agency (NEA) pursue penalties of up to S$10 million in court with the Public Prosecutor’s consent. This would offer an alternative to criminal proceedings, but an entity could not receive both criminal and civil penalties in the same case.
The law would also cover conduct contributing to overseas land or forest fires that threaten Singapore with haze, without requiring pollution to have arrived. NEA’s risk assessment would consider how far away the fires are, how long and extensively they burn, and wind and weather conditions.
The Director-General of Environmental Protection would gain powers to order entities suspected of links to haze pollution in Singapore to pay for independent assessors. Fu said authorities needed stronger means to verify information and investigate complicated corporate connections.
The proposals follow Singapore’s worst haze episode since 2015. Investigations into that episode, which occurred from September to October 2026, remain ongoing.
