Pedestrians walk along Marina Bay as thick haze obscures Merlion Park and the surrounding skyline in Singapore on October 14, 2026. The city-state is experiencing reduced visibility due to concerns over cross-border haze caused by forest and land fires in neighboring Indonesia. (Photo by Vachira Vachira/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Nuphoto | Nuphoto | Getty Images
Singapore continues to grapple with intense haze as smoke from wildfires in neighboring Indonesia drifts towards the city-state, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong warning of action against companies responsible for the fires.
Air quality in Singapore remained unhealthy on Thursday, as smoke from widespread fires in Indonesia’s Kalimantan region continued to drift toward the city-state, according to the National Environment Agency.
Singapore’s air quality deteriorated to unhealthy levels for the first time on September 4, the first time in almost three years, according to government data. Worsening haze casts a shadow over the city-state, disrupting daily life and threatening businesses as air pollution continues to worsen.
In an article on X on Thursday evening, Wong said the government was investigating companies potentially responsible for forest and peat fires in Indonesia. He said authorities could take legal action under Singapore’s Cross-Border Pollution Act where warranted, while also exploring joint action with other countries.
Singapore’s Seletar Airport experienced 16 diversions due to low visibility, spokespersons for Changi Airport Group and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore told CNBC in a joint media response.
The prolonged fog is taking a toll on daily life and businesses, with some outdoor dining establishments, including outdoor dining restaurants and hawker centers, reporting a drop in business, according to local media.
A spokesperson for Marina Bay Sands told CNBC via email that “certain outdoor experiences involving prolonged exposure to the outdoors have been temporarily suspended” and that the hotel is providing masks and air purifiers for guests.
Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” on Thursday that haze was “not the best way to welcome our international guests” as the city-state hosts Singapore International Cyber Week. The event attracted a record participation of more than 15,000 visitors from more than 100 countries.
Teo said the government had started preparations weeks earlier to support residents, including distributing masks to those who needed them most. Although it is unclear when the fog will ease, she said Singapore was in close contact with Indonesian officials to understand their needs and was ready to provide assistance.
A spokesperson for ride-hailing and delivery platform Grab told CNBC via email that they are distributing masks and have also issued advisories to employees on their platform.
The haze spread beyond Singapore, also affecting neighboring Malaysia.
Malaysia’s Second Finance Minister Amir Hamzah Azizan told CNBC on Wednesday that the worsening fog requires a coordinated response across Southeast Asia, saying the country has offered to deploy water bombers and other resources to help solve the problem. “This is an issue that requires an ASEAN solution,” he said.
Gn world
