HAZE POLLUTION (Involvement of Singaporean companies)

Mr Simon S C Tay asked the Minister for the Environment if there are any Singaporean companies involved with activities causing or contributing to the haze pollution, directly or through subsidiaries and partnerships.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, we have not received any official confirmation of Singaporean companies being involved in activities causing or contributing to the forest fires in Indonesia. I understand that the Indonesian authorities are investigating some Indonesian companies for their involvement and we would have to await further word from them.

Local companies doing business overseas, be it directly or through subsidiaries or partnerships, must comply with the laws of the countries that they operate in. They will have to face the penalties of the countries they operate in for breaking any local laws.

Mr Simon Tay: Sir, may I ask the Minister if there are active investigations by the authorities of Singapore companies involved in such activities?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: The investigation of such activities must necessarily be done by the Indonesian authorities, and we have requested our counterparts to keep us updated on the progress of their investigations.

Mr Simon Tay: Though the haze originates from elsewhere, it does come into Singapore airspace. Will the Minister actually consider local prosecution by the Singapore Government, rather than depend on Indonesia?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, these companies are operating in Indonesia, be it wholly-owned Indonesian companies or Indonesian companies that are in partnership with nationals from other countries. And they must comply with the laws of Indonesia. Therefore, if they break any Indonesian laws, it must be up to the Indonesian government and authorities to take the legal action.

Mr Simon Tay: Would the Minister not agree that the haze actually comes into Singapore airspace? Like the oil spill, can the polluters also not be prosecuted under Singapore law?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, the oil spill took place in Singapore waters and therefore we were obligated to undertake those investigations and enforcement actions. In the case of the fires, they took place in Indonesian territory and we have no resources and capabilities to go into Indonesia to investigate, firstly, who started the fires; and, secondly, the ownership of those companies that were involved in those fires. I think it is best that we leave it to the Indonesian government to undertake those investigations and to prosecute those companies. We are, in fact, monitoring the efforts at prosecuting those companies.

Mr Simon Tay: When we monitor the Indonesian government's prosecution and if they fail to prosecute either Indonesian or Singapore companies, will the Minister reconsider the position?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: The Indonesian Minister has assured us that the Government is actively investigating. In fact, they have already taken steps to prosecute one company. I understand that they are now at the stage of finalising investigations on several other companies in order to take legal action against them.