Singapore sets up expert panel to scrutinise firms with potential links to smoke haze caused by Indonesia fires

Singapore on Friday (Oct 23) announced the setting up of a panel of experts comprising audit, law and investigative firms, as it moves to hold accountable companies that may be responsible for, or have contributed to, the fires causing haze in Singapore.

The Ministry of Law (MinLaw) said that these firms have expertise in conducting cross-border inquires and investigations.

"Companies identified by the Government will be required to engage professionals from the panel to conduct thorough inquiries into their operations, corporate relationships, and supply chains, and to submit thorough audits to the Government."

They are to provide complete access to information and other relevant facts about their operations, supply chains and corporate group structures to satisfy the Government that the companies are not in any way involved in causing or condoning the fires, MinLaw added.

"Companies will be expected to cooperate fully and provide unfettered access to relevant information and their operations as may be necessary for the inquiries," the ministry stressed.

The panel will, in turn, help the Government establish the facts, including where complex corporate structures and commercial arrangements span multiple jurisdictions.

Senior Counsel Davinder Singh's firm, Davinder Singh Chambers, has been appointed adviser to the Government to advise on coordinating the work done by the panel experts.

This, the ministry said, is to make sure that the necessary inquiries and investigations are properly conducted across different jurisdictions.

"Mr Davinder Singh SC has extensive experience in cross-border corporate investigations and complex legal structures, and will provide specialist advice and guidance on the conduct of the inquiries," it added.

The findings of the inquiries will be assessed by the relevant Government agencies and the Attorney-General's Chambers.

新加坡于周五（10月23日）宣布成立一个由审计、法律和调查公司组成的专家小组，以追究可能对造成新加坡烟霾的火灾负有责任或有所贡献的公司的责任。

律政部表示，这些公司在进行跨境调查方面拥有丰富的专业知识。

“政府认定的公司将需要聘请专家组成员对其运营、公司关系和供应链进行彻底调查，并向政府提交全面的审计报告。”

律政部补充说，这些公司必须提供关于其运营、供应链和企业集团结构的完整信息和其他相关事实，以使政府确信这些公司没有以任何方式参与造成或纵容火灾。

该部强调：“各公司应全力配合，并根据调查需要，提供不受限制的相关信息及其运营情况。”

专家组将协助政府查明事实，包括复杂的公司结构和商业安排跨越多个司法管辖区的情况。

资深律师达文德·辛格的律师事务所达文德·辛格律师事务所已被政府任命为顾问，负责协调专家组的工作。

该部表示，此举是为了确保在不同的司法管辖区内妥善开展必要的调查和侦查工作。

声明还补充道：“达文德·辛格高级律师在跨境公司调查和复杂的法律结构方面拥有丰富的经验，将为调查的开展提供专业建议和指导。”

调查结果将由相关政府机构和总检察署进行评估。