Haze probe: Five Singapore-registered companies agree to engage assessors   https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/haze-probe-five-singapore-registered-companies-agree-to-engage-assessors?fbclid=IwdGRjcAVWM_dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBXNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABH2GvKEv5qsg7JlXmjosdAslQMV1e4sGMFqcz6UnxJPuNm7YKyzQxFgJZzeBG_aem_ObVrYW0nDfXJtlaeCt8rjw   Full Report: Haze Probe – Five Singapore‑Registered Companies Agree to Engage Assessors    Source: The Straits Times, published 31 Oct 2026, updated 1 Nov 2026 | Reporter: Calista Wong    Background   Singapore launched an investigation under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act into 10 locally‑registered agribusiness firms suspected of links to forest‑ and land‑fires in Indonesia that caused cross‑border haze affecting Singapore. Notices were issued to the 10 companies on 23 October 2026. On the same day, the government announced a specialist panel of investigative and legal professionals to conduct cross‑border reviews of corporate structures, supply chains and operations .   On 28 October 2026, senior government officials — Senior Minister K. Shanmugam, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu — held a closed‑door meeting with representatives from all 10 firms, directing them to appoint assessors from the specialist panel to carry out internal reviews and submit audit reports to authorities. On 30 October, the Ministry of Law and NEA formally appointed six firms plus a senior lawyer to the panel.   Latest Development (31 Oct 2026)   Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) confirmed that five of the 10 named companies have agreed to engage assessors and fully cooperate with the assessment process: ‑ Wilmar International ‑ Golden Agri‑Resources ‑ APP Company ‑ APP Company (China) ‑ Indofood Agri Resources    A sixth firm, Kencana Agri, has expressed willingness to take part voluntarily; NEA will hold a further meeting with its representatives . NEA also welcomed a public statement from First Resources, which said it was ready to retain an investigation firm and law firm to examine any potential links to Indonesian fires. The agency is waiting for formal written confirmation of its participation.   Remaining companies yet to confirm participation: Bumitama Agri, TSH Global Plantation, TSH Oversea.   Purpose of Assessments   According to NEA, the voluntary reviews aim to establish facts including whether these companies had any involvement in or connection to the Indonesian fires that caused transboundary haze over Singapore . Assessors will examine corporate relationships, supply chains and operations across multiple jurisdictions; findings will be submitted to NEA for further official consideration.   Next Steps   ‑ The government plans to table amendments to the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act in Parliament starting 3 November 2026, to strengthen investigative powers and make assessor appointments mandatory for targeted firms . ‑ Participating companies will engage panel‑approved investigators and legal advisers at their own cost to complete their audits. ‑ MAS has separately called on local banks to review financing ties with firms linked to haze‑related risks.   Disclaimer: The investigation does not mean the named companies have been found liable for causing haze; the process is to gather facts for regulatory evaluation.    

I dun dare to enter RS with ATB liao rah. Got PTSD haiz