Singapore passes new law to combat haze

A file image from June 19, 2013 captured by US space agency Nasa from its Terra and Aqua satellites, showing smoke billowing from wildfires on Sumatra towards Singapore and Malaysia. - NASA/Jeff Schmaltz

SINGAPORE: Parliament here passed the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act Tuesday, which targets companies and other entities that either cause or condone fires that lead to unhealthy levels of haze.

The penalties in the new law to combat haze could rise if future reviews find them insufficient, said Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in Parliament on Tuesday.