Singapore has revealed that air quality has worsened due to haze from forest fires in Indonesia, with the central region recording a PSI of 226, classified as very unhealthy. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is preparing to consider legal action against the companies involved.
On 16 October 2026, Channel News Asia reported that Singapore's air quality has continuously deteriorated due to haze. At 8:00 a.m. local time on Friday, the 24-hour average Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) in the central region stood at 226, a very unhealthy level and the highest this year. Other areas recorded PSI values between 148 and 198, considered unhealthy.
At the same time, hourly PM2.5 levels across all five regions remained high, ranging from 96 to 146 micrograms per cubic meter. Previously, on Wednesday, the hourly PM2.5 in western Singapore peaked at 288, the highest since 2015. The PSI in the western region on Thursday was 212, also the highest this year.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated on Thursday that the government is investigating companies that may be responsible for forest and peatland fires in Indonesia, which have worsened the haze. He added that Singapore may take legal action under the transboundary haze pollution law and consider cooperating with other countries.
This law has been in effect since September 2014 and allows Singaporean authorities to prosecute companies that cause or contribute to haze pollution in the country, even if the related activities occur overseas.
Source: CNA