00:00Singapore will investigate companies suspected of being responsible for fires in Indonesia
00:05that has contributed to the regional haze crisis.
00:09Prime Minister Lawrence Wong says companies found responsible
00:12could face legal action under Singapore's Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.
00:21In a Facebook post on Thursday, Wong said Singapore has offered assistance to Indonesia
00:26and will continue working with Jakarta and ASEAN partners to tackle the issue.
00:30Under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act,
00:33companies responsible for fires that cause prolonged unhealthy air quality in Singapore
00:37can face fines of up to $100,000 a day.
00:41However, legal experts say enforcing the law remains difficult
00:45as investigations often depend on cooperation from foreign authorities.
00:49Singapore is still investigating four Indonesian companies
00:52over their alleged involvement in the 2015 haze crisis.
00:56Meanwhile, Malaysia says it has no plans to take legal action
00:59or send a diplomatic note to Indonesia over the haze.
01:02Foreign Minister Datuk Sri Mohamed Hassan
01:05says such measures would only be considered as a last resort.
01:08According to IQ Air's live ranking of the world's most polluted major cities,
01:12Singapore ranked number one with a figure of AQI 247.
01:17Kuala Lumpur follows closely at 198.
