REACH (Telegram) 166 -   Are you confident in the Government’s ability to hold responsible companies accountable?

(SK)

20 Oct 2026 (10am - 7pm)

REACH (Telegram)

[20/10/2026 10:00 am] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,

Welcome Back! 😊

⏰ We will be opening the chat from 10:15am to 7pm today. ⏰

House Rules (short version of our Terms of Use) to keep in mind:

1. Be kind and respectful. We all want to be in a safe space to share our views. 

2. Any and all threatening, abusive, vulgar or racially, religiously and ethnically objectionable content is prohibited. 

3. Consider the quiet ones among us and give them a chance to comment. 

4. No need to repeat your comment or in different forms (including caps) - we heard you loud and clear the first time. 

5. Let's protect each other's privacy and keep contact details in this group what it should always be - confidential. 

Full set of Terms of Use: https://www.reach.gov.sg/Participate/reach-telegram-group/REACH-Telegram-Group-Chat-Terms-of-Use (https://www.reach.gov.sg/Participate/reach-telegram-group/REACH-Telegram-Group-Chat-Terms-of-Use/)/

We will strive to uphold these rules to ensure this is a safe space for all. 

Please be assured that the points made by participants during the chat are aggregated and shared with relevant agencies. 

The topic will be posted shortly. 

Thank you. 

Megan 😊

[20/10/2026 10:15 am] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢

On Monday, October 19, Senior Minister K Shanmugam said that Singapore would use every available legal, regulatory and economic lever to hold companies responsible for the haze accountable, and would pursue them for as long as necessary. Key measures include:

(1) Singapore will issue preventive measure notices to 3 additional companies in Indonesia over fires in Kalimantan that may have contributed to the haze. This brings the total number of companies issued such notices under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act to 10.

(2) The Government may amend existing legislation or introduce new laws on an urgent basis to secure further cooperation from companies. It will also look beyond individual companies to investigate links with larger corporate groups and individuals who ultimately control them.

(3) Singapore may exert pressure through various channels, including companies’ access to financing, their standing with investors, and their eligibility for government grants and incentives. Banks and the Monetary Authority of Singapore will also play a role in ensuring that environmental and legal risks are properly managed.

(4) Senior Minister Shanmugam emphasised that companies must substantiate their environmental claims with evidence and cannot evade responsibility through complex corporate structures. Singapore also hopes to work closely with Indonesia to address the haze issue.

💬 Are you confident in the Government’s ability to hold responsible companies accountable?

👉https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-haze-firms-companies-laws-shanmugam-6470856

----

[20/10/2026 11:00 am] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 1. I am concerned about the haze situation in Singapore. ]

- Strongly Agree

- Agree

- Neutral

- Disagree

- Strongly Disagree

[20/10/2026 11:00 am] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 2. I am satisfied with the Government's response to the haze situation in Singapore. ]

- Strongly Agree

- Agree

- Neutral

- Disagree

- Strongly Disagree

[20/10/2026 11:19 am] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP): 

1. Humans must not benefit self by harming others. This includes corporates that earn profits by selling products to consumers but harm consumers with haze.

2. You reap what you sow is the Universal Law of Karma.

[20/10/2026 11:21 am] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP): 

3. Enacting laws to this effect is what a responsible Government should do.

4. However, prosecution can only be effective if evidence can be gathered in which the criminal acts happen in a foreign country - as Courts operate by looking at evidence before it can administer judgement.

[20/10/2026 11:26 am] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP): 

5. Looking at the narrative from the media, it looks like the Indonesia President is serious in pursuing the errant individuals and firms that trigger the yearly haze through slash and burn.

6. This spell good for us, as we can work together with the Indonesia authorities to gather the relevant evidence that can successfully prosecute those errant firms and individuals that started the yearly haze in Courts.

7. Learning from past experience whereby we haul a few suspected errant firms to Courts, Judges have to release them due to insufficient evidences for prosecution.

Some foreign executive summons to appear in Courts never turn up.

[20/10/2026 11:26 am] Adam in reply to REACH Singapore:

> 📢 Topic 📢  On Monday, October 19,...

1) govt: issue notice.

Company: noted with thanks.

2) govt may amend

3) govt may exert

4) govt gives hopes and prayers

[20/10/2026 11:27 am] Adam: Ill believe it when i see it. We can look at news for psi not that bad. Or we can look out the window

[20/10/2026 11:28 am] Adam: If the govt smoke us through news more than the visibility outside. People will stop trusting the news. Imagine a world where instead of cna, people get news off tiktok

[20/10/2026 11:29 am] Adam: Got haze long ago still no hammer come down. Will the gov really take action or will monitor situation some more

[20/10/2026 11:33 am] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):

> ‎⁨5. Looking at the narrative from the media,...

8. I hope this round, in collaboration with Indonesia government, prosecution can happen - to deliver the message that burning and creating haze that harm humans need to pay a prize and can never go away scotch free.

天网恢恢，疏而不漏。

The arm of laws will finally catch up with you.

万法皆空，因果不空。

万般带不走，唯有业随身。

[20/10/2026 11:37 am] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP): 

1. But having say so, when there is "stick", there must also be a "carrot" to be effective.

2. The law to deter setting fire that trigger cross boundary haze, is the big stick.

3. Suggesting a mean to allow firms and plantation owners to clear plantation and devise fire prevention scheme that trigger cross boundary haze is the "carrot".

[20/10/2026 11:44 am] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):

> ‎⁨8. I hope this round, in collaboration with Indonesia...

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/indonesia-probes-98-cases-involving-firms-linked-to-fires-discusses-assistance-with-singapore?ref=top-stories

Indonesia probes 98 cases involving firms linked to fires, discusses assistance with Singapore.

Look like Indonesia government keen to work with Singapore to prosecute errant firms.

[20/10/2026 11:45 am] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):

> ‎⁨1. But having say so, when there is "stick",...

437. I post in REACH (Telegram)[12/10/2026 1:00 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP]:-

Also can the year after year haze problem be solved ?

Yes, almost except the momentum didn't go on.

It is not through law, through forceful means that will trigger political firestorm with another country.

But a skilful technical solution - known as the checker canal installation for all big and small plantations - will have stopped the haze once and for all.

It was proposed in 2012, the previous president pick it up the moment he was inaugurated in 2015.

Come out in big international news and in the UN climate report.

Haze didn't come on for many years (it is not coincidental).

But then momentum stops.

The department that oversee such projects was closed down.

1. New plantations come in, no momentum for checker canal plantations to be built.

2. Existing checker canal plantations lack maintenance, water dry up in the canals and not refill.

Haze return.

https://babe118.blogspot.com/2026/07/draft-social-media-post.html?m=0

[19/10/2026 3:21 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP): ----

Straits Times Published Oct 15, 2026, 02:32 PM Updated Oct 15, 2026, 02:51 PM

Indonesia blames peatland degradation for raging fires, vows restoration | The Straits Times.

The government is aiming to drill wells to rewet peatlands and improve water canal management, Hanif said.

“It is quite simple, yet we have forgotten, neglected, or failed to carry it out,” he said.

 https://share.google/Vy3ORB339jZnp3ZWg

[19/10/2026 3:23 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP): 

The Indonesia government has acknowledge that good canal management which serve them well for a few years has been forgotten and neglected.

Now their government vow to improve water canal management and rewet the peatlands - hopefully to resolve the haze year after year.

----

CNA news 19 Oct 2026 05:00PM (Updated: 19 Oct 2026 05:15PM)

"We haven't had the problem for some years, but now it has returned,” Shanmugam said.

Mr Shanmugam also acknowledged the steps taken by Mr Prabowo and his administration to address the haze situation.

He highlighted that Mr Prabowo has replaced the head of the agency responsible for firefighting and disaster relief (https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indonesia-disaster-agency-head-cabinet-reshuffle-prabowo-6461641), put in place directives against slash-and-burn practices on peatland, and prioritised fire prevention as a long-term solution.

"The president has personally expressed commitment to tackling that case," said Mr Shanmugam.

[20/10/2026 11:47 am] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):

> ‎⁨1. But having say so, when there is "stick",...

Hopefully, the method to clear plantation and the fire prevention scheme is cost effective and not lead to a price jump in palm oil related products like:-

1. $10 for 1 soap bar versus $2.50 for 6 Lux soap bars.

[20/10/2026 12:18 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP): 

Having say so, prosecution should apply to all firms and individuals that have caused the haze, be it :-

1. Singapore registered companies 7%

2. Malaysia registered companies 7%

3. Indonesia registered companies 86%.

Laws should apply impartially to all - not exclusively to Singapore registered companies or only to foreign firms.

[20/10/2026 1:05 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,

Please take a moment to participate in our polls and share your opinion. The poll questions are pinned for easy reference and your vote is anonymous. 

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on today’s topic!

💬 Are you confident in the Government’s ability to hold responsible companies accountable?

Thank you.

Megan 😊

[20/10/2026 1:12 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP): 

Singapore Environment Council restricts Indonesian firm APP's green certification over haze-linked suppliers - CNA

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/haze-asia-pulp-paper-environment-council-6471366

[20/10/2026 1:15 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):

> ‎⁨Singapore Environment Council restricts Indonesian firm APP's...

If prosecution in Courts is not possible, pulling other levers such as the economic lever or financial levers to ensure firms not resort to creating haze is one good "stick" measure.

[20/10/2026 1:52 pm] Khai Mun L.: Can we implement 'tariffs' against Indonesia if they do not meet certain threshold for haze?

[20/10/2026 1:54 pm] Khai Mun L.: Or get surrounding countries to contribute to a pool of money, if too many hotspots in that country, they would have to forfeit it and that money would be distributed to the other countries.

 Countries would get back certain percentage if no haze occurs etc

[20/10/2026 2:01 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢

[20/10/2026 2:43 pm] G in reply to REACH Singapore:

> Are you confident in the Government’s ability to hold responsible companies accountable?

No. Since the transboundary haze pollution act came into effect 12 years ago, there hasn't been any company prosecuted or fined.

This despite 4 companies linked to the 2015 haze period

11 years since the last haze crisis

4 companies linked

0 prosecutions

Apparently still investigating

How come take so long to investigate?

How will it be better this time around?

[20/10/2026 2:50 pm] G in reply to Adam:

> ‎⁨Got haze long ago still no hammer come down....

Raise salaries to continue monitoring activities 😂

[20/10/2026 2:54 pm] G in reply to REACH Singapore:

> 💬 Are you confident in the Government’s ability to hold responsible companies accountable?

"Four 2015 cases remain open

The law was wielded for the first time in 2015, when the PSI breached hazardous levels with readings of over 300. No fines have been meted out yet.

NEA had identified fires on plantations, or concession lands, associated with six Indonesian companies and issued legal notices to them.

Those were preventive-measure notices that requested the companies to extinguish the fires, stop any burning activities and submit to NEA plans to extinguish the fires or prevent their recurrence.

Asked for an update on these cases, the spokeswoman said investigations into four companies remain open. “As such, NEA is unable to disclose further details,” she added.""

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/unhealthy-air-quality-in-spore-sufficient-to-trigger-haze-pollution-law-nea-is-monitoring-situation

[20/10/2026 4:00 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢

[20/10/2026 4:32 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP): 

"S’pore-listed First Resources pledges cooperation with authorities over haze".

First Resources’ statement comes after the company said on Oct 16 that fires from outside its boundaries had spread into areas under its management, and had not originated from its concessions.

Other SGX-listed companies, including Golden Agri Resources, Bumitama Agri, Wilmar International, Kencana Agri, Indofood Agri, have also issued similar statements after receiving queries from SGX RegCo over their operations and potential ties to the haze. TSH Resources has yet to respond.

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/spore-listed-first-resources-pledges-cooperation-with-authorities-over-haze#:~:text=S%E2%80%99pore%2Dlisted%20First%20Resources%20pledges%20cooperation%20with%20authorities%20over%20haze

[20/10/2026 4:34 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):

> ‎⁨"S’pore-listed First Resources pledges cooperation with...

Senior Minister K. Shanmugam told reporters on Oct 19 that statements from the companies – no matter how well drafted, are not good enough.

Shanmugam, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, added that the Government will “ask for the full facts, consider all evidence fairly and act based on the facts”.

[20/10/2026 4:35 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):

> ‎⁨"S’pore-listed First Resources pledges cooperation with...

See how difficult to prosecute firms over the haze...

[20/10/2026 6:00 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢

[20/10/2026 6:45 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

[20/10/2026 6:48 pm] RY in reply to REACH Singapore:

> 📢 Topic 📢  On Monday, October 19,...

I hope SG govt may take the lead to take legal actions against errant/inconsiderate companies/biz that are involved/caused the trans-national regional haze crisis, which causes health/economy issues to Asean countries 

Otherwise, useless to initiate the Haze Bill in 2015, but didnt prosecute any company until today 

Hope indo Govt be more aggressive and assertive also

[20/10/2026 6:58 pm] Andy: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/behind-the-blazes-st-looks-at-10-firms-issued-notices-under-spore-haze-law

"NEA’s actions in 2015 had prompted local supermarket chains to pull APP’s products from shelves, including its line of Paseo toilet rolls."

As the firms get named, I urge Singaporeans to also boycott these companies if they are consumer good businesses e.g. Paseo tissues

[20/10/2026 7:00 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

====