SINGAPORE — Even as Singapore authorities pursue action under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, the government sector will play its part as a consumer — by buying only printing paper products with the Singapore Green Label from the third-quarter of this year. Paper products bearing the label indicate that the supplier practises sustainable forestry management, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli said yesterday. The public sector buys about 2 million reams, or about 1 billion sheets, of printing paper a year.

The Government will also start buying only electrical products certified to be highly energy efficient, he said. It will start with four electrical items, namely air-conditioners, lamps, television sets and refrigerators.

Asked by Members of Parliament (MPs) for updates on the preventive notices the National Environment Agency (NEA) sent to six companies in Indonesia last year during the haze, Mr Masagos said two have responded and NEA is corresponding with them and verifying the information provided. NEA is also reviewing information from Asia Pulp and Paper Company.

Four other companies did not respond, and NEA served a notice to the foreign director of one of the companies when he was in Singapore, Mr Masagos revealed. The notice requires the director to provide information and attend an interview in relation to ongoing investigations. NEA declined to reveal the director’s identity or his company.

Mr Masagos said he may consider Nominated MP Mahdev Mohan’s suggestion of having out-of-court settlements with companies as an alternative to criminal prosecution, when the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act is reviewed in future.

Transboundary haze caused by widespread fires in Indonesia affected the region for a prolonged spell last year, and Mr Masagos said there is no easy solution to the complex issue, but Singapore would continue to promote regional cooperation and support Indonesia’s efforts to tackle the problem. NEO CHAI CHIN