Well hopefully they do have assets here that our govt can lockdown.
If not those notices are nothing but farting in the wind. No one is going to give a shit about it.
'Shiver in our shoes? That's not the Singapore approach': Shanmugam on pursuing Indonesian haze-linked firms, Singapore News - AsiaOne
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/shanmugam-diplomatic-implications-indonesia-haze-linked-companies
📰 Full Article Summary
Headline
'Shiver in our shoes? That's not the Singapore approach': Shanmugam on pursuing Indonesian haze-linked firms
Source: AsiaOne — Published Oct 19, 2026, 10:30 AM | By Sean Ler
📌 Key Points
🎯 Singapore's Stance on Diplomatic Concerns
When asked whether Singapore is worried about diplomatic implications from taking legal action against Indonesian companies linked to the fires, Senior Minister K. Shanmugam was clear:
"Our people are suffering. What do these experts think we are supposed to do? Shiver in our shoes before we take any action to protect our own people? That's not the Singapore approach."
He added: "If we think like that, there will be no Singapore" — and said the government does not foresee bilateral issues, emphasising that Indonesians are also suffering from the haze, so dealing with these companies is in Indonesia's own interest too.
🤝 Alignment with Indonesia's New Administration
Shanmugam noted that Indonesia's new President Prabowo Subianto and his administration have stated they want to tackle the haze problem:
"Our actions against companies which we consider are responsible, are aligned with the broad policies as announced by the Indonesian administration under President Prabowo."
Singapore hopes to get full cooperation from Indonesia and has also offered help to put out the fires.
⚖️ Every Legal & Regulatory Lever — No Hiding Behind Corporate Structures
Shanmugam warned the government will use "every legal and regulatory lever" available — targeting firms' bottom lines, access to financing, and investor standing.
Crucially, authorities will look beyond individual concession holders to the larger corporate groups and the people who ultimately control them:
"They cannot play hide and seek with different corporate structures."
He cited Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), whose suppliers include three companies already issued notices by the National Environment Agency (NEA) — these links will be investigated further.
✅ Quick Recap
- ✅ Singapore will not hesitate to act to protect its people
- ✅ Actions are aligned with President Prabowo's stated goals
- ✅ Will pursue parent groups & ultimate owners, not just local subsidiaries
- ✅ Pressure points: financing, profitability, reputation
- ✅ Offered Indonesia full cooperation on firefighting efforts