Singapore Raises Maximum Haze Fine to S$20 Million

Singapore's Parliament passed amendments to the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act on 4 November 2026, raising the maximum fine for entities that cause or contribute to haze from S$2 million to S$20 million. The daily fine increases from S$100,000 to S$1 million. The changes also introduce a civil penalty route of up to S$10 million and expand the law to cover the risk of haze, not only actual pollution that has already reached Singapore.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said the amendments are not a complete solution and that cooperation with neighbouring countries remains necessary. The bill was fast-tracked under a Certificate of Urgency after Singapore experienced its worst haze in more than a decade from Indonesian wildfires. Parliament debated the measure for about six hours; 24 members spoke.

The amendments give authorities power to require companies with suspected links to fires to appoint independent expert assessors who report to the National Environment Agency. Courts can also order additional penalties equal to profits gained or losses avoided. The government can restrict dealings with entities linked to haze-related conduct.

Singapore has issued notices to 10 companies seeking information on their operations and possible connections to the recent fires. The Monetary Authority of Singapore has advised banks to review relationships with firms that may have breached environmental rules. The city-state plans to work with ASEAN partners on the regional haze agreement when it chairs the grouping next year.

Fu noted that establishing corporate links across multiple ownership layers is difficult. The new tools aim to address that complexity. Penalties remain subject to court determination based on the facts of each case. The law was first enacted in 2014 and has been used sparingly; no fines have yet been imposed under the previous version.

The amendments take effect after the recent pollution episode. Their practical impact will depend on how quickly authorities can use the expanded powers in ongoing investigations and whether they deter future large-scale burning in the region.