SINGAPORE: Singapore’s government issued notices to three more Indonesian firms suspected to be linked to haze-creating fires, as it steps up action to combat its worst air pollution in more than a decade.
PT Buana Megatama Jaya, PT Mananjung Hayak and PT Baratama Putra Perkasa will all be notified under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, Singapore’s National Environment Agency said in a statement today.
"There are indications that smoke from fires on concessions held by all three companies in Kalimantan spread to the city-state," the agency said.
Singapore and Malaysia have been blanketed by toxic smog from the Indonesian wildfires in recent weeks, with the dry conditions that have exacerbated the blazes linked to a powerful El Niño weather pattern.
Singapore prime minister Lawrence Wong last week vowed to investigate companies responsible for the blazes and warned that those found culpable could face legal action.
The action on Monday follows notices sent to seven companies on Friday.
"The notified firms will be required to deploy firefighters to curb blazes on their concessions," the agency said.
Under the transboundary haze law, Singaporean authorities can fine companies as much as S$100,000 (US$78,000) per day of pollution.
Buana Megatama Jaya is listed as a supplier to APP Group, one of the pulp and paper industry’s largest companies. Two of the companies notified on Friday were also suppliers to APP.
APP Group said in a written response that the notices issued by Singapore were preventive measures and did not constitute a finding of wrongdoing.
The pulp and paper giant said it would work with relevant suppliers to contain fires, prevent further outbreaks and enforce its zero-burning policy, adding that it had invested nearly US$300 million in fire management over the past decade.
Buana Megatama Jaya could not be reached for comment. Mananjung Hayak and Baratama Putra Perkasa didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index reading — which the act tracks — was as high as 114 on Monday after, according to NEA data.
That’s lower than last week, when levels in parts of the city topped 200.
In Pangkalanbun, a town in Kalimantan, a gauge of particulate matter peaked at more than 1,000 on Monday, figures from the Indonesian meteorology agency show. Levels above 250 are deemed dangerous.
Singapore also sought to enforce the transboundary haze law in 2015, but the environment ministry said at the time it was having difficulty getting information from its Indonesian counterpart on firms suspected of illegal burning.
A decade on, four companies continue to be under investigation.