S1E115: Is Singapore’s anti-haze law a ‘paper tiger’? We ask a lawyer and an environment expert - The Straits Times Podcasts | Lyssna här

Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) has been criticised for being toothless, but is that criticism fair?

And if the anti-haze law is not working, can Singapore take Indonesia to the International Court of Justice?

As Singapore finds ways to tackle its worst haze crisis in over a decade, Scott Tan, a partner in the International Arbitration practice of Rajah & Tann, says diplomacy - not litigation - would be a more durable solution to this perennial problem.

In this episode, he joins Audrey Tan, assistant news editor at The Straits Times and host of ST’s environment podcast, Green Pulse, to talk about why Singapore’s anti-haze law has been criticised, and whether that’s warranted.

We also chat about other possible ways to penalise haze-causing companies and how consumers can put pressure on such firms.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:57 What’s unique about the THPA?

7:24 Is the THPA ‘toothless’?

12:48 The “Asean way” of handling the haze

15:52 Getting banks to stop financing polluters

18:50 Can Singapore take Indonesia to the International Court of Justice?

23:25 The Government’s response: now vs 2015

29:03 Does the soft diplomatic approach work?

31:46 Addressing the root cause: peatlands and cash crops

33:39 Will climate change make the haze worse?

Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg)