First Resources, a Singapore-listed palm oil producer, said Oct. 20 it would cooperate with inquiries into ongoing fires and haze as Singapore seeks more evidence before deciding how to respond.
The company said its zero-burning policy covers all its operations. It expressed confidence that an objective review would support its position that it has not used fire to clear land, directly or indirectly.
In an Oct. 16 statement, First Resources said fires that began beyond its boundaries later reached land under its management. Some grew too large and moved too quickly for its teams to contain despite their firefighting efforts, the company said.
First Resources said determining where fires began would require verified facts, scientific evidence and checks of conditions at the sites. It pointed to the sequence of hot spots detected by satellite, documents showing efforts to suppress fires and spatial analysis of conservation areas as evidence that could be reviewed. It also welcomed site inspections where needed.
The Straits Times reported that SGX RegCo had questioned several listed agricultural companies, including First Resources, about their operations and potential ties to the haze.
Singapore Senior Minister K. Shanmugam said Oct. 19 that company statements alone were insufficient. He said the government would seek the full facts, weigh the evidence fairly and act on what it finds.
