Singapore is investigating seven agribusiness companies listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) over suspected links to land fires and transboundary haze in Indonesia (21/10).

Senior Minister K Shanmugam announced the investigation, according to Singapore Business Review on Wednesday.

SGX Investigates Seven Agribusiness Companies

The seven companies under investigation are Golden Agri-Resources, Bumitama Agri, First Resources, Wilmar International, Kencana Agri, Indofood Agri Resources, and TSH Resources.

Singapore is considering legal, regulatory, and economic measures in response to the suspected links. Authorities are also expanding the investigation beyond individual land concession holders to include their parent corporate groups.

Singapore Issues Notices Over Land Fires

Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) has issued formal notices requiring the companies concerned to extinguish fires immediately and prevent future outbreaks. The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and the Homefront Crisis Ministerial Committee are coordinating the government's response.

Authorities have also expanded their investigation after finding that Asia Pulp and Paper had purchased products from three companies that received NEA notices.

The Singapore government plans to seek further explanations from First Resources, Bumitama Agri, and First Borneo Plantations because suspected sources of fires or haze have been linked to them. Shanmugam has asked companies to support their environmental claims with land ownership data and evidence of their firefighting efforts.

Singapore Considers Further Enforcement Measures

Shanmugam said the authorities would assess information and evidence fairly. He also warned companies against assuming they could wait for the haze to disappear before returning to normal business operations.

“The flow of information and the assessment of evidence will be conducted fairly. Companies must not be under the illusion that they can simply wait for the haze to disappear and return to business as usual,” Shanmugam said.

The Singapore government has stated that it is prepared to amend existing laws or urgently introduce new legislation to strengthen cooperation in law enforcement.

Singapore Welcomes Indonesia's Efforts to Address Haze

Shanmugam welcomed Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's efforts to address the haze crisis. These include allowing foreign assistance and issuing a directive prohibiting slash-and-burn practices on peatlands.

Singapore's authorities are continuing their investigation into the companies suspected of links to the fires and haze, while considering further legal, regulatory, and economic measures.

PHOTO: BUSINESS TIMES

This article was created with AI assistance.

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our content, some information may be incorrect or outdated. Please let us know of any corrections at [email protected].