[{"_1":2,"_272":-5,"_273":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4},"routes/Container/Container",{"_5":6,"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":12,"_13":14,"_270":271},"type",0,"statusCode",200,"cacheControlMaxAge",60,"regenerateInterval",180,"payload",{"_15":16,"_17":18,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_69":70,"_82":83},"pageType","live-blog-landing-page","results",[19],{"_20":21,"_22":23,"_24":23,"_5":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31},"title","Recap: Parliament passes Bill to strengthen S’pore’s anti-haze law","url","","description","live-coverage","refCode","live:-singapore's-haze-response-on-the-agenda-in-parliament","cards",[],"liveBlogData",{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":37,"_39":40},"htmlData","

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Recap: Parliament passes Bill to strengthen S’pore’s anti-haze law

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The changes to existing legislation give the Govt more teeth to go after firms behind forest, land fires.

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Edited by Ng Wei Kai, Rhea Yasmine, Wong Man Shun, Chin Hui Shan

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Published: Nov 3, 2026

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\r\n","liveBlogId","2419","isLiveBlog",true,"isMultidayLiveblog","multidayLiveBlogMapping",[41,45],{"_42":35,"_43":44},"value","key","Nov 4, 2026",{"_42":46,"_43":47},"2416","Nov 3, 2026","uniqueName","live-singapore-parliament-november-2026","infiniteScroll",{"_52":53},"additionalStories",[],"advertisements",[],"metaData",{"_20":21,"_58":21,"_59":21,"_60":49,"_24":61,"_62":61,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68},"ogTitle","twitterTitle","slug","MPs will also debate proposed changes to the anti-haze law. Read more at straitstimes.com.","ogDescription","keywords","Singapore Parliament, Live blog, ministerial statements, Lawrence Wong, Chan Chun Sing","robots","index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1","image","https://www.straitstimes.com/og/liveblog-bg-1200x630.jpg","gaData",{"_71":72,"_73":23,"_74":23,"_20":75,"_76":77,"_78":79,"_80":81},"level2","23","chapter1","chapter2","Live:_Singapore's_haze_response_on_the_agenda_in_Parliament","title_ga","Live: Singapore's haze response on the agenda in Parliament","pagination","1","contenttype","live blog","liveBlogSchemaProps",{"_22":84,"_85":21,"_24":61,"_86":87,"_88":89,"_90":87,"_91":92,"_93":94,"_95":96,"_101":102,"_264":265},"https://www.straitstimes.com/live-singapore-parliament-november-2026","headline","datePublished","2026-11-03T11:22:00.000Z","dateModified","2026-11-04T21:20:06.000Z","coverageStartTime","coverageEndTime","2026-11-04T23:59:00+08:00","publisherName","The Straits Times","publisherLogo",{"_22":97,"_98":99,"_100":10},"https://www.straitstimes.com/publisher-logo.png","width",600,"height","updates",[103,108,112,116,120,124,128,132,136,140,144,148,152,156,160,164,168,172,176,180,184,188,192,196,200,204,208,212,216,220,224,228,232,236,240,244,248,252,256,260],{"_85":104,"_86":105,"_106":107},"Parliament has ended for today!","2026-11-04T21:15:10+08:00","articleBody","Here are some highlights:More teeth for haze laws: Amendments rushed through Parliament under a Certificate of Urgency passed with unanimous approval from MPs after a debate lasting more than six hours. MPs raised concerns about the Bill’s range of powers and effectiveness, as well as its ability to stop fires upstream. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said the amendments create a clear legal basis for enforcement, but the most effective solution remains international cooperation and individual efforts by businesses and communities. New laws governing upcoming Islamic college: Parliament also passed amendments to the laws governing Singapore’s Islamic institutions, placing the upcoming Singapore College of Islamic Studies under the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore. The new laws also simplify the administrative processes for Muslim divorces. The debate focused on how the new college will be funded and how its curriculum will be decided between MUIS and its secular subjects, as it will also offer modules on other topics such as social sciences. MPs also asked for assurances that the simplified divorce process would not encourage couples to separate. Acting minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad responded, saying that the intention of the new divorce laws is to reduce the burden on couples and the state. Fadli vs Shanmugam: WP MP Fadli Fawzi and Senior Minister K. Shanmugam clashed on Fadli’s questions about a past meeting between Singapore and Israeli officials. Shanmugam said Fadli’s questions sought to present a picture to the Malay/Muslim community that the Government is unprincipled and soft on Israel. Shanmugam added that the Aljunied GRC MP made “absurd suggestions” on how the Government should engage with its foreign counterparts. Fadli, in response, rejected Shanmugam’s characterisation, and said his questions were not motivated by race and religion. “This is primarily an issue about how Singapore can uphold its commitments to international law consistently,” he added.Thanks for sticking with us. If you’re still here, you must like politics. Subscribe here for our analysis of this week’s sitting in our weekly politics newsletter, Unpacked.",{"_85":109,"_86":110,"_106":111},"Timing of proposed amendments to anti-haze law comes under scrutiny by some MPs","2026-11-04T19:12:31+08:00","Some MPs question the timing of the proposed amendments to the anti-haze law.Speaking entirely in Mandarin, WP’s Non-Constituency MP Eileen Chong asks why the Government took 10 years to propose the amendments after Singapore experienced its worst period of haze in 2015.She notes that investigations into four out of six companies allegedly linked to the 2015 haze are still ongoing.Chong notes that in 2019, then Minister for Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli said the Government had no plans to amend the Act. But it was already evident that some companies will not cooperate with investigations, she says.Earlier, Lee Hui Ying (Nee Soon GRC) asked if the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act’s effectiveness has been reviewed since it was passed in 2014.She asks what lessons the Government has learnt from cases investigated under the Act since 2015, how the proposed amendments draw on them, and what options were considered along the way.Poh Li San (Sembawang West) also asked if the proposed amendments will apply retroactively to the six Indonesian companies that were issued legal notices back in 2015.If not, Poh asked how those companies will be brought to justice, given that the investigations have been ongoing for more than a decade.PHOTO: ST FILE",{"_85":113,"_86":114,"_106":115},"Create new national infrastructure to log identities for AI agents, says Tin Pei Ling","2026-11-04T21:03:26+08:00","As Singapore moves towards using more and more artificial intelligence, it is becoming more pressing to ensure that AI agents are identifiable and accountable, says Tin Pei Ling (Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC) in an adjournment motion.Referring to AI-enabled programs which work independently on behalf of humans, Tin says agents can think, decide and act on a human’s behalf.She suggests creating a standardised national registry for AI agents, built in conjunction with similar technology like SingPass – Singapore’s digital identity application for citizens and permanent residents. This would bind various agents to humans and render their actions open to checks, she says. It would also clarify each agent’s mandate. There is precedent, and GovTech is already developing a registry for AI agents for public officers to track who owns each agent and what it does, Tin says. In response, Acting Manpower Minister and minister-in-charge of GovTech Jasmin Lau says the Government is in agreement with her ideas. “Beyond establishing trusted identities and clear mandates, we should aim to create an environment where AI agents can interact seamlessly and securely across different organisations and platforms,” she says. There are some efforts already at work by Government and industry. The state’s approach is to work with industry to find out what works in practice, build on existing infrastructure and emerging international standards, and step in with common standards or infrastructure where there are gaps that industry cannot fill on its own. “This will inform our assessment of whether additional common infrastructure, including a national registry, is needed.”",{"_85":117,"_86":118,"_106":119},"The new Bill passes","2026-11-04T20:49:33+08:00","After Fu responds to some final questions from five MPs, the House votes unanimously to support the amendments to strengthen Singapore’s anti-haze laws. Some queries include how the new laws help with ongoing cases, since the amendments will not apply retroactively. In response, Fu says the amendments are intended for the Government to take quick action, either through legal or economic levers. “So I hope that we have a much faster resolution of the cases,” she says. Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam also responds to WP chairwoman Sylvia Lim who had asked why the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) is not coordinating the Government’s response. Shanmugam says a private firm has been appointed because private firms will not run into issues of sovereignty that a Singapore Government agency like the AGC would. ",{"_85":121,"_86":122,"_106":123},"Laws give enforcement a clear basis but the best solution remains international cooperation and individual efforts: Grace Fu","2026-11-04T20:35:42+08:00","The most effective solution remains to prevent and control fires at source through close international cooperation and individual efforts from businesses and the community, says Fu as she wraps up the debate. The amendments will give the Government more tools and paths, Fu says, but Singapore should be clear-eyed about what legislation can achieve. “There may be some companies that we can go after, but there are many more landowners or occupiers, including many small landowners that … we are not able to. “We won't be able to investigate all of them, we should also expect to continue to face challenges with securing and verifying evidence.”The Government remains committed to dealing with the haze through international cooperation, underpinned by constructive engagement, Fu says, in agreement with MPs who highlighted this need. Singapore’s enforcement powers do not extend into other countries' borders, and it respects the laws and sovereignty of every state.The amendments show the Government’s commitment to ensuring traceability of Singapore’s supply chain and curtailing economic benefits of companies engaged in or linked to unlawful practices. This is meant to create a strong and predictable legal framework that is important for investor confidence in Singapore. “By setting up the paths, conditions, and processes in our legislation, we are providing a clear legal basis for enforcement.”",{"_85":125,"_86":126,"_106":127},"Proposed amendments critical for making progress on investigations under way: Grace Fu","2026-11-04T20:35:30+08:00","The proposed amendments to the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act are critical in giving agencies the tools they need to make progress on investigations currently under way, says Grace Fu.She is responding to MPs who asked about why the Government is amending the Act now.The haze episode in 2026 highlighted the complexities and persistent challenges of addressing transboundary haze, notwithstanding the national, bilateral and regional efforts of the past decade, says Fu.She adds that the haze this year reinforced the need to strengthen Singapore’s domestic legal framework alongside those cooperative efforts.“This set of changes to the THPA is significant. It gives us the power to impose economic and financial costs on errant entities, in addition to legal penalties,” she says.These issues were discussed by the Homefront Crisis Ministerial Committee, which is the political leadership charged with setting the direction and providing strategic guidance for the overall government response to major crises, says Fu.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG",{"_85":129,"_86":130,"_106":131},"Grace Fu returns to wrap up the debate","2026-11-04T19:53:52+08:00","A total of 24 MPs, including seven from the WP and three Nominated MPs, spoke during the debate on changes to Singapore’s anti-haze laws.",{"_85":133,"_86":134,"_106":135},"Higher compliance costs due to complex supply chains should not punish small or innocent firms, say MPs ","2026-11-04T18:55:40+08:00","Several MPs point out that firms may face challenges in complying with the new laws, given complex supply chains and potential costs involved in tracing them, and emphasise that the law should not punish innocent businesses. Establishing guidance on practical due-diligence – such as the checks expected and warning signs that require further action – would be helpful for smaller businesses that lack the resources to trace complex supply chains, says Choo Pei Ling (Chua Chu Kang GRC).Lee Hui Ying (Nee Soon GRC) asks how the Government will assess the degree of responsibility of companies operating in different levels of a complex supply chain, as firms may have limited visibility over upstream suppliers or limited ability to influence their environmental practices. Charlene Chen (Tampines GRC) says the law should not encourage businesses to relocate their activities elsewhere without improving environmental outcomes, and suggests that large corporations with greater resources should take the lead in supporting smaller suppliers. On costs, Nadia Samdin (Ang Mo Kio GRC) notes that identified companies may need to engage specialist assessors from the panel at their own expense, even before legal responsibility for environmental harm has been established. As the fees involved may be substantial, she asks whether there are safeguards to ensure that costs remain proportionate to the risks and circumstances of each actor, and whether there is a cap on the fees to be incurred. Workers’ Party Non-Constituency MP Andre Low says compliance costs should not become a punishment, and urged that the law should “bite the right person” rather than innocent businesses or ordinary Singaporeans.",{"_85":137,"_86":138,"_106":139},"Financial institutions and state-linked firms should disclose exposure to haze-linked firms, says WP’s He Ting Ru","2026-11-04T15:41:17+08:00","Next to speak is WP’s He Ting Ru (Sengkang GRC), who notes that seven other party colleagues will also join the debate. They will speak on issues such as using incentives to tackle the root cause of haze, more proactive action against peatland drainage, leveraging existing systems to target undesirable behavior, and better corporate accountability. They will also clarify the appointment of assessors and the updated penalty regime, she adds.In her speech, she reiterates some points made yesterday during her adjournment motion – which centred on similar points on Singapore’s response to the haze crisis – on better accountability along the supply chain and of other haze-linked firms.She asks for more details on how the Government will scrutinise the financial institutions who deal with haze-linked firms and are “indirect abettors” of the burning. The WP MP also asks for more preemptive measures on this front before fires are started and damage is done. She says banks should report in aggregate how many haze-link clients they reviewed and acted upon and also says that Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund and government-linked companies should disclose their exposure to firms under investigation for haze.On the assessors appointed to investigate the firms, she says their reports should be made public. This would make firms wary of reputational costs while consumers can use the information to make decisions on their purchases.ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH",{"_85":141,"_86":142,"_106":143},"WP MPs suggest ways for Singapore to work with Indonesia to limit fires at source ","2026-11-04T17:36:33+08:00","MPs from the Workers’ Party call on the Government to work with Indonesia to limit fires at the source, suggesting ways in which the Republic can provide aid to its South-east Asian neighbour from afar. Gerald Giam (Aljunied GRC), who described the establishment of a joint task force between the two countries as a “constructive step forward”, says it must be followed by sustained commitment, seamless inter-agency coordination, and a robust legal framework to translate bilateral findings into domestic enforcement action. He asked that the bilateral framework include formal protocols for real-time ground verification and evidential data sharing, so that joint findings can be admitted in court proceedings under the Act. Adding on to this, Dennis Tan (Hougang) asks whether Singapore is working with Indonesia on practical fire prevention measures, such as monitoring technology, and whether there are opportunities for Singapore to help reduce the incidence of land and peat fires at the source. His party colleague Kenneth Tiong (Aljunied GRC) proposes a monitoring system using a network of sensors that logs the water level on peatland to ensure that they stay wet. The sensor records the water levels at set intervals and sends the readings by mobile or satellite link, so no one has to walk out to read it, he says. Singapore can help raise funding for a network of loggers, placed where Indonesia chooses, with readings the world can trust. He says Singapore could change the economics so that keeping peat wet pays off, and ensure a shift from uncontrolled burning on dry peat to controlled clearing on wet peat. “Incentives shape behavior, and what a financial centre (like Singapore) can help catalyse is a market and a type of carbon credit for Indonesia that pays smallholders to keep peat wet.”ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR",{"_85":145,"_86":146,"_106":147},"Proposed amendments will enable entities to be put on notice against dealing with haze-linked companies ","2026-11-04T14:39:59+08:00","But Fu says it may not be practical for the Government to identify every entity involved in burning, or every company involved in an errant firm’s supply chain. Instead, the Government may want to take action against the larger corporate entities, she says.As such, the Government will also introduce a power to put certain entities on notice not to deal with entities that cause or contribute to fires posing a risk of haze pollution in Singapore. Such entities include retailers selling the firms’ palm oil or paper products, for example. They can be put on notice to ensure that their business arrangements and supply chains are free of any products or links to potentially offending firms. This will apply to entities that have relevant connections to activities associated with burning, including large corporations operating in the forestry and agricultural sectors.Entities put on notice have to take appropriate steps to ensure that their supply chains and business arrangements do not involve entities that cause or contribute to such fires. Failure to comply without reasonable excuse will be an offence. Those guilty can be fined up to $1 million, and in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding $100,000 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.These moves are intended to strengthen due diligence and responsible business conduct across the supply chain, says Fu.She says that the objective is not to impose an impossible guarantee that no risk will ever arise but to ensure that companies do not turn a blind eye to irresponsible forestry and agriculture practices.To ensure transparency, NEA will also be able to publicly list the entities that have not complied with the notices or directions issued under the Act, or who have been given a direction to appoint an assessor, among others.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO",{"_85":149,"_86":150,"_106":151},"Govt will be able to restrict business dealings of designated firms or individuals","2026-11-04T14:37:46+08:00","The second set of changes proposed under the Bill provides the Government with more tools to act against errant firms responsible for fires in the region.This is done by taking action not just against the individual companies, but also their supply chains, financiers and related firms. One way this will be done is by giving the Minister the power to designate errant entities or individuals. These designated firms or individuals could be those who have been convicted of an offence under the Act, or those whom the Minister knows or has reason to suspect that they have engaged in conduct constituting an offence. The Minister can also designate entities or individuals who have failed to comply with relevant directions or notices, or who have gotten an adverse assessment report.Designation will allow the Government to impose orders restricting business dealings with the designated entity or individual, including the supply or purchase of goods and services, or providing loans and other financial support, Fu says. Those who do business with designated entities in contravention of such orders can be fined up to $1 million for each contravention, and an additional fine of up to $100,000 each day the contravention continues.The power to designate and impose restrictions is meant to impose economic consequences on those responsible for irresponsible burning or with established links to irresponsible burning, says Fu.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM",{"_85":153,"_86":154,"_106":155},"Collaborate more within ASEAN, make fighting haze a top priority as chair in 2027, say MPs","2026-11-04T17:17:18+08:00","Several MPs call for more regional cooperation to fight against haze.Nadia Ahmad Samdin (Ang Mo Kio GRC) asks how Singapore cooperate more with other ASEAN countries to develop more effective information sharing and cross-border evidence-gathering systems.She also asks if the countries can work together more to address the root cause of forest fires.“Investigations require us to connect multiple layers and forms of information… Better data sharing can strengthen enforcement, but it can also improve fairness. If investigations are based on better evidence, they can be more targeted,” says Nadia.She asks if existing ASEAN haze mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control, were used during the recent haze episode.Earlier, Poh Li San (Sembawang West) said that as incoming ASEAN chair in 2027, Singapore can make multilateral collaboration on preventing and fighting haze a top priority.She says efforts to crack down on companies responsible for burning will be more effective if countries affected by the haze are aligned.There are 11 members in ASEAN – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and Singapore.",{"_85":157,"_86":158,"_106":159},"Changes to haze law will give agencies stronger, more effective tools against errant firms: Grace Fu","2026-11-04T14:32:42+08:00","Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu says the proposed changes are to give agencies stronger and more effective tools to investigate irresponsible burning, establish accountability and impose meaningful consequences on those responsible.Fu says the Government shares the concerns of many Singaporeans who want more effective action to prevent haze and hold those responsible accountable.The Transboundary Haze Pollution Act has been wielded twice – in 2015, during the last major haze crisis to affect Singapore, and in 2026. But no fines have been meted out so far.Fu adds that enforcing laws against activities that take place overseas is complex but Singapore’s experience in investigating haze incidents has given it a much better understanding of the practical challenges.She says: “We need better ways to obtain and verify information, trace complex corporate relationships, and impose meaningful consequences on errant entities, even where criminal prosecution proves difficult. We also need to be able to intervene earlier, before haze pollution reaches Singapore.”Singapore must act quickly, Fu says. “Evidence may be lost or altered, business arrangements may change, and the longer we wait, the harder it may become to establish responsibility,” she says.So far in 2026, NEA has issued legal notices to 10 Indonesian companies and 10 Singapore companies for them to provide more information on their links to the fires in Indonesia.While the proposed changes will not guarantee successful prosecutions, nor will legislation alone solve the transboundary haze problem, Fu says they will strengthen Singapore’s ability to act, including by imposing economic consequences on errant entities even where criminal prosecution remains difficult.ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO",{"_85":161,"_86":162,"_106":163},"Poh Li San says haze law changes could impact bilateral relations and pro-business environment, but ‘we must do what is right’","2026-11-04T15:39:31+08:00","Poh Li San (Sembawang West) kicks off the debate on amendments to Singapore’s haze law, which she says will give the Government “sharper teeth and a stronger bite” to deter firms from contributing to the haze.Poh, who is the co-chairperson of the PAP Climate Action Group, says companies holding land concessions in Indonesia may not think the current Transboundary Haze Pollution Act has “enough teeth”. She notes that investigations into four of the six companies issued legal notices in 2015 are still ongoing.Sricter enforcement can shift the behaviour of companies and ensure that they take greater responsibility for the impact of their actions, says Poh, who also chairs a group of PAP backbenchers tasked to scrutinise policies relating to sustainability and the environment.She adds that while some may view the amendments allowing every offence to be arrestable as draconian, they will be the most effective changes because no senior executive or business owner wants to be jailed.The Government must also be clear about the potential backlash of the amendments, Poh says.Relations with Singapore’s neighbours and Singapore’s pro-business environment could be affected by the stronger anti-haze law.“A stricter haze law will inevitably dampen the business climate for companies operating land concessions in Indonesia. Some businesses may even pull out of Singapore as a result. But we must do what is right,” says Poh.",{"_85":165,"_86":166,"_106":167},"Fadli says his question was not motivated by race and religion, Shanmugam says S’pore’s approach has to be ‘enlightened self interest’ ","2026-11-04T12:29:47+08:00","Fadli rejects Shanmugam’s characterisation that his question was motivated by race and religion.“This is primarily an issue about how Singapore can uphold its commitments to international law consistently.”He also says it is not the WP’s position to raise every bilateral issue at every bilateral meeting. Fadli says he believes in raising concerns only when they are relevant, and in this case, the illegal settlements are relevant. He also asks again if Singapore requested to keep the meeting secret, “in the spirit of answering questions”. He had raised this in his October parliamentary question.Shanmugam asks in response how Fadli knows the issue of settler violence is relevant to the meeting, as the MP does not know the contents of the discussion.He adds that the primary point of Singapore’s approach has “got to be enlightened self-interest”. “We are elected as MPs and ministers to safeguard Singaporeans' interests primarily, not just principles of international law. Principles of international law seen through the prism of Singapore's national interest, which is fundamental, and because we are a small country, it is important for us that international law be upheld.”This does not necessarily mean repeating it at every meeting, he says.“These things are dealt with with common sense and skill, and if the member believes that (in) meetings with Israel, on the West Bank settler issue, every meeting should raise those issues – put down an adjournment motion, and we can debate it.”On Fadli’s second question, Shanmugam says meetings between the MHA and counterparts are almost always kept confidential, except when parties request for them to be made public. “And I have given that answer that one party requested it to be made public, and that meeting was made public.”",{"_85":169,"_86":170,"_106":171},"Key changes as the haze law toughens up against errant firms","2026-11-04T14:50:49+08:00","Sweeping changes have been proposed to Singapore’s haze law, to give authorities here more tools to investigate and act against firms linked to fires in the region. The Bill to amend the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act will also increase financial and commercial penalties for those found guilty, and allow Singapore to take action even before the pollutive smoke reaches its shores.Here is a summary of the key amendments and what they aim to achieve:",{"_85":173,"_86":174,"_106":175},"Maximum fines for the main offence to increase from $2 million to $20 million","2026-11-04T14:46:38+08:00","Currently, those found guilty of causing or contributing to land or forest fires with a risk of haze in Singapore can be fined up to $100,000 a day, capped at a total of $2 million.But amendments to the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act will increase these penalties. The fine for the main offence will go up to $1 million per day, capped at a total of $20 million. Fu says the Government recognised that the serious harm of transboundary haze needs to be deterred by stronger penalties, to underscore the gravity of such offences. This increase was calibrated with reference to existing legislation, and the financial scale of the companies involved, Fu adds.Other penalties under the Act will also be increased proportionally.The Court will also be empowered to assess the profit gained or loss avoided as a result of committing the offence, and to impose this as an additional penalty on the entity convicted. A civil penalty framework will also be introduced as an additional route to hold errant entities accountable. In this case, an order can be made for those found to have contravened a provision in the act to pay up to $10 million as a civil penalty.The minimum amount cannot be less than $100,000 for corporations, and $50,000 for any other entities.This will give NEA more flexibility in deciding how to deal with contraventions, and to deal with those who seek to hide from our criminal jurisdiction, says Fu.Under the framework, NEA may, with the consent of the Public Prosecutor, bring a civil action in court with a maximum penalty of $10 million. To ensure entities are not penalised twice, an entity cannot be subject to both civil and criminal penalties for the same case. PHOTO: ST FILE",{"_85":177,"_86":178,"_106":179},"Proposed changes will enable legal documents to be served electronically and give officers here the power of arrest ","2026-11-04T14:45:43+08:00","The proposed amendments to the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act will strengthen some current provisions. ",{"_85":181,"_86":182,"_106":183},"Clear career progression pathways, fair pay needed to encourage enrolment in Islamic college, say MPs","2026-11-04T14:02:21+08:00","MPs also ask whether graduates of the upcoming Singapore College of Islamic Studies will be able to find jobs with fair pay.Wan Rizal (Jalan Besar GRC) says having clear progression pathways and fair pay will encourage more young people to enrol in the college, which is slated to welcome its first cohort in 2028.One way to do so would be to ensure that students who embark on social sciences pathways such as psychology, counselling and social work will be recognised by employers in the social service sector, he adds.Wan Rizal’s points echo those made by fellow PAP backbenchers Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) and Sharael Taha (Pasir Ris-Changi GRC) yesterday during the first half of the debate.Saktiandi had said that a college is ultimately measured by the success of its graduates. He asked how the Government and community partners will facilitate career placements for SCIS graduates across the public sector, social services and education sectors.On the partnership between the SCIS and the Singapore University of Social Sciences, Sharael asked if students will be able to take modules beyond the social science faculty such as gerontology, special education, data analytics, business, finance and AI.The SCIS should not dilute its Islamic education core, but a foundation in theology is more valuable when graduates can apply it to the current challenges people face, he said.PHOTO: ST FILE",{"_85":185,"_86":186,"_106":187},"What are the amendments to the Act? First set of changes will empower Government to establish facts","2026-11-04T14:35:35+08:00","The Bill proposes two sets of changes, Fu says.The first set provides the authorities here with more tools to investigate commercial links and impose restrictions across business arrangements and supply chains, to hold to account entities responsible for the fires.This is a fundamental change in the Government’s approach to investigations and enforcement under the law, Fu says.The second set of changes will enhance existing provisions under the Act to enable earlier intervention, facilitate enforcement and enhance deterrence. They are to remove legal barriers to taking action, while remaining aligned with international law, says Fu.On the first set of changes, the Government will enhance its ability to establish facts. This is critical as obtaining reliable evidence is one of the main hurdles to enforcement, Fu says.To counter this, the Government proposes to empower the Director-General of Environmental Protection to require entities with suspected links to the haze pollution here to appoint assessors from the private sector.These assessors will be specified by the director-general, and comes after the Government recently convened a panel of experts to look into 10 Singapore-based firms issued notices under the THPA.Fu notes that a direction to appoint an assessor does not necessarily mean that the entity has committed or is suspected of having committed an offence. It is meant to establish the relevant facts, which the authorities can then examine to decide whether to exonerate or pursue the firms identified.",{"_85":189,"_86":190,"_106":191},"Haze not simply an act of nature, driven by irresponsible business practices: Grace Fu","2026-11-04T14:29:03+08:00","Addressing the House on the need for the changes to the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu says Singapore has just experienced the most severe haze episode since 2015. “For weeks, Singaporeans had to contend with unhealthy air quality, disrupt their daily routines, and limit outdoor activities. Businesses and workers were affected, and we saw hundreds more people visiting the doctors each day. Singaporeans were understandably concerned about their health and well-being,” she says.Transboundary haze is not simply an act of nature, she says. “It is driven in significant part by human activities, including irresponsible land-clearing and management practices such as slash-and-burn and peatland drainage.”While the agroforestry sector can support economic development, and provide jobs and livelihoods for people across the region, these activities must be carried out responsibly and sustainably.Irresponsible practices may generate considerable commercial benefits for firms responsible, while leaving millions across South-east Asia to suffer and bear the brunt of the haze pollution.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI",{"_85":193,"_86":194,"_106":195},"Parliament will have visibility over new Islamic college’s use of community funds, says Zaqy Mohamad ","2026-11-04T14:15:29+08:00","Rounding up the debate on changes to the Administration of Muslim Law Act, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad says MUIS will be transparent about how community funds such as zakat are used for the Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS). Parliament will continue to have visibility over MUIS's disbursement of community funds, as these will be included in MUIS’ annual report, he adds. On graduate outcomes, Zaqy said SCIS is developing academic and industry partnerships. It is in discussions with ministries, Malay/Muslim organisations and social service agencies to understand sector needs and explore attachments and internships. Addressing calls for a plain language guide on divorce for Muslims, he says the Syariah Court has launched its divorce guide in English and Malay to provide plain language information on the Muslim divorce process and will continue to enhance its public materials.The Bill passes unanimously.",{"_85":197,"_86":198,"_106":199},"Shanmugam says Fadli’s questions are trying to send a message to the Malay/Muslim community that Govt is soft on Israel","2026-11-04T12:28:24+08:00","Shanmugam responds to Fadli, saying Fadli has not answered his questions. He says the approach Fadli is suggesting would “certainly be novel” and adds that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cabinet as a whole decides on the Government's overall stance vis-a-vis any particular country, and the extent of meetings, including whether meetings take place at all. “Subject to that, each ministry deals with directly relevant issues.”He raises the example of Singaporean diplomat Rena Lee who was in the early hours of Nov 4 elected as a Judge of the International Court of Justice with the highest number of votes among nominees. Shanmugam says the Government worked very hard to lobby other countries on her nomination. “Imagine you start a meeting with the UK, France, US, and your objective is to ask for their vote in support, and you start out by saying, referring to the wars in the Middle East, Syria and Yemen together, millions displaced, hundreds and thousands of children and women killed.”“You start out by listing this category of international law issues, and then you say, ‘By the way, can you please support us?’”He says he thinks MPs and Singaporeans can see how absurd and novel such a position is.Shanmugam adds that Singapore’s position on international law has been made clear in the past.But there is a more fundamental point, and Fadli is sending two messages to two different audiences: one to the general public to present that the WP is focused on national interests.The second message, Shanmugam says, is specifically to the Malay/Muslim community to jump on the issue, make absurd suggestions on how the Government should engage, in the belief that people will not understand how interministerial conversations really take place.He says Fadli is trying to present the picture that the Government is unprincipled and soft on Israel. “That's what this question and this subsequent explanation is all about: getting people to view our international relationships through the prism of race and religion. That is just wrong.”He adds that if Fadli believes that Singapore’s interactions with Israel at every meeting should raise all these issues that Israel is accused of, he should submit an adjournment motion, so the House can debate it fully.",{"_85":201,"_86":202,"_106":203},"MPs urge plain language guide on divorce, especially for Muslims in transnational marriages ","2026-11-04T13:57:28+08:00","Several MPs call for a clear and plain language guide to help Muslims, especially those in transnational marriages, navigate the complex divorce process. They note that the number of transnational marriages has been on the rise here. Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang) says such a guide should explain matters like eligibility and the treatment of foreign orders, and include help to point to the relevant agencies where housing, immigration, or schooling issues arise. “A recently divorced parent should not have to become an expert in private international law simply to seek maintenance, divide matrimonial property, or preserve contact with a child,” he says. Cai Yinzhou (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC), asks how the Syariah Court will ensure that a foreign spouse, who is often the least able to navigate a divorce, has fair and equal access to legal aid. Hamid Razak (West Coast-Jurong West GRC) says the Bill provides clear pathways for divorces where witnesses may be abroad, which is relevant to the Indian Muslim community as many of its members marry foreign nationals. Hazlina Abdul Halim (East Coast GRC) echoes suggestions that a plain language guide be established to help those in transnational marriages get a divorce, so that they can obtain clear guidance easily rather than rely on informal advice that may be inaccurate.",{"_85":205,"_86":206,"_106":207},"Bill to amend Singapore’s haze law introduced under a Certificate of Urgency","2026-11-04T12:31:30+08:00","A Bill to amend the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act is being introduced in Parliament under a Certificate of Urgency. This allows for the changes to also be debated and voted on in the same sitting. Currently, the Act targets those responsible for causing or condoning fires. It can be triggered if the haze causes the Pollutant Standards Index – a measure of air quality in Singapore – to stay in the unhealthy range in any part of the country for 24 hours or more.Those guilty under the Act can be fined up to $100,000 a day, capped at a total of $2 million. The law has been wielded twice so far – in 2015, during the last major haze crisis to affect Singapore, and again in 2026. But no fines have been meted out so far.In 2015, preventive measure notices were issued by Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) to six firms, requesting them to stop burning on their land, and to submit plans on how they planned to prevent the fires from recurring.Two cases were eventually closed, while investigations into the remaining four are still open.So far in 2026, NEA has issued legal notices to 10 Indonesian companies and 10 Singapore companies, asking them to provide more information on their links to the fires in Indonesia. Copies of the Bill are being distributed. The House will debate the Bill later this afternoon.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI",{"_85":209,"_86":210,"_106":211},"Debate resumes on amendments to Administration of Muslim Law Act","2026-11-04T13:05:54+08:00","Yesterday, Parliament adjourned about halfway through a debate on amendments to the laws governing Singapore’s Islamic institutions which will give the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) control over the governance of the upcoming Singapore College of Islamic Studies, and to simplify Muslim divorces. MPs had raised questions for Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad on the funding model for the new college, and how its various functions will be governed. The college, which is meant to open its doors in 2028, will also offer non-Islamic modules in partnership with the Singapore University of Social Sciences. The debate continues today, with Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang) speaking first.",{"_85":213,"_86":214,"_106":215},"S’pore should maintain a whole-of-government approach in upholding its commitment to international law when engaging foreign counterparts, says Fadli Fawzi ","2026-11-04T12:27:04+08:00","The Ministry of Home Affairs should raise concerns about its foreign counterpart’s policies or conduct when engaging with them, where relevant, says WP’s Fadli Fawzi (Aljunied GRC).He is giving a personal explanation at the end of question time, in response to questions posed to him by Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam after October’s Parliamentary sitting. This followed Fadli’s questions on whether Singapore had in a meeting with Israeli officials discussed addressing illegal settlements and settler violence in the West Bank.Shanmugam had asked him if he believes that MHA should use such engagements to raise broader concerns about the policies or conduct of the country concerned, and to clarify whether he believes this principle should apply only to Israel, or consistently to all countries with which MHA engages. Settler activity and illegal territorial expansion in the West Bank, and especially settler violence are grave violations of international law and threats to international security, says Fadli in a personal explanation at the end of question time. Singapore’s operational and technical cooperation in law enforcement and security matters must be conducted in the context of its overall national interests and fundamental principles, which includes its commitment to international law, he adds. “Given this context, I believe that it would have been relevant to clearly reiterate at this meeting Singapore's principal position that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law, and our deep concerns about settler violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.”He also says, in response to Shanmugam’s second question if this principle should apply to only Israel or to all countries that MHA engages with, that Singapore should address issues that are relevant to its concerns, and its commitments, and in its interests should be applied consistently to all countries with which MHA engages. The minister had also asked for an explanation how such an approach would serve Singapore's overall interests. In response, he quotes Shanmugam’s own speech from 2023, saying that as a small country, Singapore has to be clear on its principles concerning the alleged violations of international law in the West Bank. “I believe that it would serve our overall interests to uphold this principle and position consistently, impartially, and objectively, including during MHA's bilateral engagements were relevant.”“It is also my belief that when engaging with foreign counterparts, Singapore should maintain a whole-of-government approach in upholding our commitment to international law and a rules-based international order.”",{"_85":217,"_86":218,"_106":219},"Another three months needed to confirm alternative placements in special education schools: Syed Harun Alhabsyi","2026-11-04T12:11:22+08:00","Children face an average wait time of another three months to confirm placements in special education (SPED) schools when their first-choice option is not available or suitable, says Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education Syed Harun Alhabsyi.This waiting period is on top of an initial six months between the application date and the date a child is offered a place in a SPED school.Responding to Cai Yinzhou (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) who asked about waiting times for alternative SPED school placements, Syed Harun says a child’s suitability for placement in SPED schools is based on an assessment of their overall development profile by the first-choice school.The process may take longer if parents submit appeals to the first-choice school for a review of its decision or need more time to consider the alternative placement offer, based on their school preferences, he says.The Ministry of Education is working with social service agencies to expand SPED school capacity to meet demand and shorten waiting times, he adds.He had announced in March that three new SPED schools will be set up by the early 2030s, and existing schools will get additional or larger campuses from the second half of 2026. This will increase the overall capacity of SPED schools from 9,000 to 12,000 places.Syed Harun says the ministry will review how it can give parents more timely updates throughout the application process.Question time wraps after 1 1/2 hours.",{"_85":221,"_86":222,"_106":223},"Emotional needs, mental health challenges and relationship issues top 3 problems heard by helpline ","2026-11-04T11:44:18+08:00","The three most common issues encountered by people who contact national mindline 1771 are related to emotional needs, mental health challenges such as anxiety and workplace burnout, and relationship problems, says Senior Minister of State for Health Tan Kiat How. The trends were observed across all three of the national mental health helpline’s channels – hotline, WhatsApp and webchat – and help-seekers included younger adults aged 20 to 35. Tan adds that these insights inform the self-help resources on digital stress management platform mindline.sg, staff training, and referral pathways to other services to support clients’ needs.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO",{"_85":225,"_86":226,"_106":227},"Data does not suggest displacement of residents by S Pass and Employment holders, says Jasmin Lau","2026-11-04T11:32:17+08:00","The available data from the second quarter of 2026 does not suggest displacement of residents by S Pass and Employment Pass holders, says Acting Manpower Minister Jasmin Lau. Movement in resident and non-resident employment was driven by different subsectors of the economy, says Lau in response to a question from WP MP Gerald Giam (Aljunied GRC) on the growth in non-resident employment earlier this year. Occupational data for the second quarter of 2026 is not yet available, but at the sectoral level, S Pass and Employment Pass declines were concentrated in professional services, financial services, and information and communications, she says.Meanwhile, resident employment in these sectors increased, she adds. S Pass and Employment Pass employment increased most in administrative and support services, Lau says.This is a broad sector covering security, cleaning, recruitment, and office support services, among others. Resident employment fell in the broader administrative and support services sector, although this was concentrated in employment placement and recruitment services. ",{"_85":229,"_86":230,"_106":231},"More than 95% of beverage container return scheme refunds given on the spot: Janil Puthucheary","2026-11-04T11:30:46+08:00","More than 95% of transactions at reverse vending machines under the beverage container return scheme (BCRS) resulted in refunds given on the spot, says Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Sustainability Janil Puthucheary.Unsuccessful refunds were largely due to unfamiliarity with the refund process, he says. Under the scheme, which was launched in April, all plastic bottles and cans ranging from 150ml to 3 litres must carry the 10-cent deposit mark and barcode.Customers pay an extra 10 cents for each drink purchased under the scheme, but get the money back when they drop the used containers into a reverse vending machine, also called a Return Right machine.Janil says the firm operating the BCRS has been rolling out a digital refund portal since October to make it easier to process unsuccessful refunds.The portal is expected to shorten the time taken to process refunds from 30 working days to 10, he adds, in response to a question from Lee Hong Chuang (Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC) on the main causes of failed transactions in the reverse vending machines.Janil adds that the BCRS will continue to improve its processes, with the National Environment Agency and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment working with the operator.ST PHOTO: JASEL POH",{"_85":233,"_86":234,"_106":235},"Police investigating man who used shell company to rent property and refused to pay rent: Murali ","2026-11-04T11:09:58+08:00","The police are investigating a man who used a shell company to rent property and refused to pay rent, says Senior Minister of State for Law Murali Pillai. He is responding to questions from MPs on the case, where the man, Anthony Thomas Price, rented three landed homes in Singapore at different times for his family to live in, and then stopped paying rent shortly after moving in, embroiling his landlords in legal processes to avoid moving out.Price, a director and shareholder of Noranth Ventures, had used the company and its wholly owned subsidiary Bundleluxe, to enter into separate agreements with different landlords between 2019 and 2026.The American then used court processes to attempt to stop his landlords from repossessing their property. Murali says that the police have reviewed the court’s findings in consultation with the Attorney General’s Chambers and assessed there was basis to commence investigations against Price for cheating.He says as investigations are ongoing, he will not comment more on the case.He added that many companies lease residential properties for legitimate reasons, but the law does not allow companies to be used as a cover for fraud, or allow the individuals who set up the companies to evade responsibilities.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM",{"_85":237,"_86":238,"_106":239},"Mandatory for employers to follow MOM’s haze guidelines for outdoor work ","2026-11-04T11:19:06+08:00","Employers must follow MOM’s haze guidelines in planning outdoor work arrangements, says Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash. He is responding to questions posed by Yeo Wan Ling (Punggol GRC) and Non-Constituency MP Eileen Chong on employers’ compliance with the haze guidelines for outdoor work, which sets out the measures that employers should take based on the daily PSI forecast. Dinesh says that in more than 500 worksite inspections conducted by MOM since September, most workplaces inspected were found to have had the necessary protection measures in place. The most common lapse found was an absent or incomplete risk assessment on haze-related hazards, he says. Employers in these cases were issued Notices of Non-Compliance and required to rectify the lapses or face composition fines. In response to Chong, who also asks about workers at naturally ventilated workplaces such as hawker centres, Dinesh says MOM’s haze guidelines also apply to them as work in such settings is also exposed to the outdoor environment.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG",{"_85":241,"_86":242,"_106":243},"Daily visits to emergency departments rose by 20% amid haze: Tan Kiat How ","2026-11-04T11:18:09+08:00","Visits to emergency departments for potentially haze-related conditions rose by 20% between early September and mid-October, says Senior Minister of State for Health Tan Kiat How. During this period, daily visits to emergency departments rose from 360 to 440. Responding to Cassandra Lee (West Coast-Jurong West GRC) who asked about the impact of the haze on emergency care services, Tan says public hospitals activated measures to manage the surge in demand. Daily attendance numbers fell after the Haze Subsidy Scheme was activated on Oct 12, he adds. To protect frontline healthcare workers, Tan says air purifiers have been deployed indoors. Personal protective equipment has also been issued to staff while ensuring those who work outdoors for prolonged periods have regular breaks. Responding to another question by Lee about reaching out to vulnerable senior citizens during the haze, Tan says active ageing centres have limited outdoor activities while continuing to conduct activities indoors. The People’s Association has also carried on with activities for seniors, Tan says. He adds that all Singaporeans should keep up to date with the influenza vaccination.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG",{"_85":245,"_86":246,"_106":247},"Murali says WP’s suggestion to protect landlords contradicts its earlier ask for rental caps","2026-11-04T11:16:39+08:00","The Workers’ Party’s positions on protecting landlords and capping rental rates are contradictory, Murali says in response to a question from WP’s Fadli Fawzi (Aljunied GRC).Fadli had asked whether the Government will consider legislation to better protect landlords against tenants who have no intention of paying rent.Murali references an earlier proposal by WP Sengkang GRC MP Jamus Lim who proposed protecting tenants by capping rent increases and introducing statutory rights to better protect them, and says the two positions are not consistent. “The burden on us, on this side of the House in Government, is to go beyond expressing sympathies to these two groups of people,” he says.Fadli says in response that this is not the case, and that “protecting both law-abiding tenants and landlords is a consistent position”.He asks Murali if it is in the public interest to ban shell companies with negligible capital or recoverable assets from being used to obtain residential tenancies.Murali does not accept Fadli’s explanation and says while their suggestions may not seem contradictory on the surface, “when we implement policies, we have to make sure that whatever policy we implement does not unwittingly or otherwise land the other party in a harder place”.",{"_85":249,"_86":250,"_106":251},"Parliament begins","2026-11-04T10:30:49+08:00","Question time starts now.",{"_85":253,"_86":254,"_106":255},"Change is in the air for Singapore’s anti-haze law","2026-11-04T09:45:24+08:00","The key item on Parliament’s agenda today will be for the House to debate and vote on proposed changes to Singapore’s laws to deal with the haze.The Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) has come under scrutiny in recent weeks as the Republic dealt with its most severe haze episode in over a decade. Since the law’s passage in 2014, enforcement has been limited by the cross-border nature of investigations and obstacles in collecting evidence.No fines or convictions have been meted out under the law, although several firms were issued preventive measure notices in 2015 and 2026. Of the six cases from 2015, two were later closed while four remain open.The Government has said that legislative changes are coming to give the THPA greater teeth in taking companies to task for causing or condoning fires.What the laws do now:Empowers Singapore’s authorities to issue preventive measure notices requiring firms – operating locally or abroad – to take steps to prevent, reduce or control haze pollution.Gives them the powers to request documents and seek explanations from the firms’ directors and senior management. The authorities must prove that an entity caused or contributed to haze pollution here.Individuals and businesses in Singapore can also file civil claims against those responsible for economic losses, personal injury or property damage arising from haze.The THPA is triggered when the haze causes the Pollutant Standards Index air quality measure to stay in the unhealthy range in any part of Singapore for 24 hours or more.Those guilty under the Act can be fined up to $100,000 a day, capped at a total of $2 million.PHOTO: ST FILE",{"_85":257,"_86":258,"_106":259},"What to watch out for","2026-11-04T09:34:58+08:00","Yesterday, the Government deferred answering questions from MPs on Singapore’s haze law, the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, so that will be on today’s agenda. They will answer this during the debate on the changes to the law, which we expect to begin in the early afternoon.The Government has already previewed how the laws will change, giving the National Environment Agency new powers to investigate firms linked to the fires behind the bad air. MPs have asked questions about other areas of the law, including heavier penalties for offenders. If you’re wondering what the extra teeth might look like and what it will mean for Singapore’s enforcement efforts against the haze, read this week’s issue of our politics newsletter Unpacked here.The Bill has been introduced a Certificate of Urgency, which means it will also be debated and voted on during this sitting.Here are the other topics to watch for today:Haze impact on outdoor workers: A couple of MPs have asked about how the Manpower Ministry can ensure that employers follow the guidelines for outdoor workers. Non-Constituency MP Eileen Chong also asks how the guidance applies to employees in naturally ventilated workplaces like coffee shops and hawker centres.BCRS: Lee Hong Chuang (Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC) asks what is the frequency of processing failures in the BCRS reverse vending machines and what are the main causes of such issues.The House will also resume the debate on changes to the Administration of Muslim Law Act. The amendments are focused on two things: creating the framework for the new Islamic college to be governed by MUIS, and simplifying court processes for Muslim divorces. ",{"_85":261,"_86":262,"_106":263},"Good morning","2026-11-04T09:26:54+08:00","Welcome to our live coverage of Parliament. It’s Day 2.","speakable",{"_266":267},"cssSelector",[268,269],".live-blog-header",".live-blog-summary","dependentPaths",[],"actionData","errors"]