'They cannot play hide and seek': Shanmugam warns haze-linked firms as scrutiny widens over Indonesian fires

Singapore will widen its scrutiny of companies potentially linked to the haze-causing fires in Indonesia, including Singapore-listed firms, their parent groups and ultimate owners, while banks with exposure to these companies are also assessing the associated risks, Senior Minister K Shanmugam said on Monday (Oct 19).

The Government will look beyond individual concession holders to larger corporate groups and the people who ultimately control them, as it steps up efforts to hold potentially responsible parties accountable.

"We will also look beyond individual concession holders, to the large corporate groups, and persons who may ultimately control them," SM Shanmugam said.

He cited Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), which investigations showed buys from three companies that the National Environment Agency (NEA) has issued notices to.

He said the authorities would investigate these links further.

Several of the companies that have been issued notices appear to be linked, and the Government is examining those connections, he added.

SM Shanmugam also said some fires or smoke-source points appeared to be associated with Singapore-listed First Resources and Bumitama Agri , as well as First Borneo Plantations. The Government would be asking more questions of these companies.

The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has separately asked seven listed agricultural companies about their operations and possible links to the haze.

They are Golden-Agri Resources, Bumitama Agri, First Resources, Wilmar, Kencana Agri, Indofood Agri and TSH Resources.

Banks that have lent money to agricultural companies with potential links to the fires have also asked these companies questions, SM Shanmugam said.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will exercise its supervisory jurisdiction over banks to ensure they manage environmental and legal risks properly, he added.

The Government is also examining whether companies potentially linked to the haze receive government grants or incentives, which are conditional on lawful and responsible conduct.

@asiaone Banks lending money to agricultural firms with potential links to the haze-causing fires in Indonesia have started questioning these companies, added Singapore's Senior Minister K Shanmugam. #sgnews #Singapore #Haze #Health #Indonesia ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

SM Shanmugam said companies should not be able to evade responsibility in Singapore by relying on different corporate structures.

"They cannot play hide and seek with different corporate structures," SM Shanmugam said.

Nor should they assume that because the evidence and actions are in Indonesia, they can escape responsibility in Singapore , he added.

"If companies refuse to cooperate, regardless of whether they have a presence in Singapore or do not have a presence in Singapore, we will use every legal and regulatory lever at our disposal to exert pressure where it matters, including on their bottom lines, including on their access to financing, and including on their standing with investors," SM Shanmugam said.

He added that the Government would consider amending existing legislation or introducing new laws urgently if necessary to secure further cooperation.

Companies should also not expect to simply wait for the haze to clear and return to business as usual, he said.

"We will pursue this matter for as long as it takes."

helmy.saat@asiaone.com

新加坡高级部长尚穆根周一（10月19日）表示，新加坡将扩大对可能与印尼烟霾火灾有关的公司的审查范围，包括在新加坡上市的公司、其母公司和最终所有者，同时与这些公司有业务往来的银行也在评估相关风险。

政府将不再局限于个别特许经营者，而是将目光投向更大的企业集团及其最终控制者，加大力度追究潜在责任方的责任。

“我们不仅会关注个别特许经营者，还会关注大型企业集团以及最终可能控制这些企业集团的个人，”SM Shanmugam说道。

他以亚洲浆纸业（APP）为例，调查显示该公司从三家国家环境局（NEA）已发出通知的公司采购产品。

他说，当局将进一步调查这些关联。

他补充说，几家被发出通知的公司似乎存在关联，政府正在调查这些关联。

尚穆根部长还表示，部分火灾或烟雾源似乎与新加坡上市的第一资源公司（First Resources）、布米塔玛农业公司（Bumitama Agri）以及第一婆罗洲种植园公司（First Borneo Plantations）有关。政府将就这些公司提出更多问题。

新加坡交易所（SGX）已分别询问了七家上市农业公司，了解它们的运营情况以及与雾霾可能存在的联系。

它们是 Golden-Agri Resources、Bumitama Agri、First Resources、Wilmar、Kencana Agri、Indofood Agri 和 TSH Resources。

SM Shanmugam表示，曾向与火灾可能有关联的农业公司提供贷款的银行也已向这些公司询问了相关问题。

他补充说，新加坡金融管理局（MAS）将行使其对银行的监管管辖权，以确保它们妥善管理环境和法律风险。

政府还在调查与雾霾可能有关联的公司是否获得了政府拨款或奖励，而这些拨款或奖励的前提是这些公司必须依法行事并承担相应的责任。

@asiaone 新加坡高级部长尚穆根表示，向可能与印尼烟霾火灾有关联的农业公司提供贷款的银行已开始对这些公司进行质询。#sgnews #Singapore #Haze #Health #Indonesia ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

SM Shanmugam表示，企业不应依靠不同的公司结构来逃避在新加坡的责任。

“他们不能玩捉迷藏，利用不同的企业结构，”SM Shanmugam说道。

他还补充说，他们也不应该认为，因为证据和行为发生在印度尼西亚，他们就可以逃避在新加坡的责任。

“如果企业拒绝合作，无论它们是否在新加坡设有分支机构，我们都将动用一切法律和监管手段，在关键之处施加压力，包括影响它们的盈利、融资渠道以及投资者对它们的看法，”SM Shanmugam表示。

他还补充说，如有必要，政府将考虑紧急修改现有法律或出台新法律，以确保进一步合作。

他还表示，企业也不应指望仅仅等待雾霾散去就能恢复正常营业。

“我们将追查此事，直至真相大白。”

helmy.saat@asiaone.com