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Amendment to Singapore haze law increases fines to S$20 million ‘to underscore the gravity of such offences’: Singapore is proposing a tenfold increase in the maximum fine for companies that cause or contribute to haze.   🔗 Read more: https://theindependent.sg/amendment-to-singapore-haze-law-increases-fines-to-s-20-million-to-underscore-the-gravity-of-such-offences   Full details – Proposed amendments to Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (announced 4 Nov 2026)   The proposed changes were tabled in Parliament in response to Southeast Asia’s worst haze outbreak in more than a decade, as the government said the existing legal framework was no longer sufficient to protect Singaporeans. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu stated that stronger penalties were needed “to underscore the gravity of such offences”, while remaining mindful of other countries’ sovereignty and international law.   Key penalty changes   - Current rules: Companies found to have caused or contributed to haze may be fined up to S$100 000 per day, capped at S$2 million total. - Proposed criminal fines: Daily fine raised ten‑fold to S$1 million, with a new overall maximum of S$20 million. - Additional profit‑based penalty: Courts would be allowed to add an extra fine equal to any profit gained or loss avoided by the company through the haze‑linked offence, to remove financial benefit from wrongdoing. - New civil‑action route: With the Public Prosecutor’s consent, the National Environment Agency (NEA) may launch civil proceedings seeking up to S$10 million. A company cannot face both civil and criminal penalties for the same incident to avoid double‑punishment.   Broader objectives   The amendments also aim to strengthen investigative powers, improve traceability of corporate links, and make enforcement more effective against errant entities – without over‑reaching extraterritorially. Minister Fu noted that old penalties were set at levels similar to domestic pollution cases, but transboundary haze causes far‑reaching cross‑border harm that justifies heavier deterrence, calibrated against company size and financial capacity .   🔗 Original report: https://theindependent.sg/amendment‑to‑singapore‑haze‑law‑increases‑fines‑to‑s‑20‑million‑to‑underscore‑the‑gravity‑of‑such‑offences