Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated on Thursday that his government is actively investigating which companies may be responsible for the forest and peatland fires currently affecting the region. The resulting haze has significantly impacted air quality, a situation exacerbated by an extended dry season in Indonesia.

Under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, Singapore maintains the legal authority to pursue companies if they are found to be linked to the fires. Prime Minister Wong emphasized that the government is prepared to take action where warranted and is exploring the possibility of joint efforts with other affected nations to address the environmental crisis. While Singapore has extended an offer of assistance to Indonesia to help manage the fires, the focus remains on identifying the specific entities whose land-clearing practices may have contributed to the smoke.

The situation highlights the ongoing regional challenge of transboundary haze, which frequently occurs during dry spells. Singapore’s approach involves both diplomatic outreach to neighboring countries and the potential use of domestic legislation to hold private firms accountable for environmental damage that crosses national borders. The government has not yet named specific companies, noting that the investigation into the origins of the fires is ongoing.