NEA serves notices to 10 Singapore-based companies

Source: Government of Singapore

23 October 2026 – As part of efforts to address transboundary haze pollution, the National Environment Agency (NEA) is seeking information on companies that may have contributed to haze in Singapore, as well as their operations and measures to prevent and manage fires in any plantations in Indonesia.

2.   On 16 Oct 2026, NEA sent Preventive Measure Notices (PMNs) under Section 9 of the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) to seven companies in Indonesia for fires in Sumatra. On 19 Oct 2026, NEA sent PMNs under Section 9 of the THPA to three additional companies in Indonesia for fires in Kalimantan. The PMNs require the following ten foreign companies to: (i) deploy fire-fighting personnel to extinguish or prevent the spread of any fire on land situated outside Singapore owned or occupied by them; (ii) discontinue, or not commence, any burning activities on such land; and (iii) submit to NEA any plan of action to extinguish any fire on such land or to prevent its spread or recurrence:

    1. PT Bumi Andalas Permai (BAP)
    2. PT Bumi Mekar Hijau (BMH)
    3. PT SBA Wood Industries (SBAWI)
    4. PT Paramitra Mulia Langgeng (PML)
    5. PT Sumatera Alam Anugerah (SAA)
    6. PT Hutan Lestari Raya (HLR)
    7. PT Bangkanesia (BKN)
    8. PT Buana Megatama Jaya (BMJ)
    9. PT Mananjung Hayak (MH)
    10. PT Baratama Putra Perkasa (BPP)

    3.  NEA is also writing to these  companies to seek documents and information regarding the occurrence of fires in their concessions, measures taken to put out these fires, as well as the companies’ linkages with associated companies in Indonesia and Singapore.

    4. In addition to the above companies, NEA is also seeking documents and information from the following Singapore-registered companies by way of notices under Section 10 of the THPA on their linkages with associated companies in Singapore and Indonesia, the locations of land concessions owned by them, as well as fire preventive measures and/or any firefighting efforts taken by them and/or their associated companies in Indonesia during this dry season. These ten Singapore-registered companies are in the palm oil or forestry business and own land concessions in Indonesia or have related companies with such land concessions.:

    1. Asia Pulp & Paper Company Limited
    2. Asia Pulp & Paper Company (China) Limited
    3. Bumitama Agri Ltd  
    4. Golden Agri International Pte Ltd   
    5. First Resources Ltd
    6. Indofood Agri Resources Ltd
    7. Kencana Agri Ltd
    8. TSH Global Plantation Pte Ltd
    9. TSH Oversea Pte Ltd 
    10. Wilmar International Ltd

    5.  NEA is firmly committed to identifying and holding accountable all local or foreign companies that have caused or contributed to the transboundary haze in Singapore under the THPA.

    – End –

    Annex

    Under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA), NEA may issue different types of notices to prevent and address transboundary haze pollution, and to facilitate investigations into possible offences under the Act.

    • Preventive Measures Notice under Section 9 requires companies to: (i) deploy fire-fighting personnel to extinguish or prevent the spread of any fire on land situated outside Singapore owned or occupied by them; (ii) discontinue, or not commence, any burning activities on such land; and (iii) submit to NEA any plan of action to extinguish any fire on such land or to prevent its spread or recurrence.
    • Notice to Provide Documents or Information under Section 10 requires companies or individuals to provide relevant information and documents to NEA such as information and documents necessary for the carrying out investigations into the fires on lands situated outside Singapore owned or occupied by them that causes haze pollution. 

Haze Situation Update (23 October 2026)

Source: Government of Singapore

Air Quality Forecast

PSI Forecast: 90 – 140 (Moderate to Unhealthy)

Health Advisory

Healthy persons :PSI Forecast-Unhealthy. To plan for 24 Oct, reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. For immediate outdoor activities, use 1h PM2.5. If Normal PM2.5, continue with normal activities. If Elevated PM2.5, reduce strenuous outdoor activity.
Elderly, pregnant women & children :PSI Forecast-Unhealthy. To plan for 24 Oct, minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. For immediate outdoor activities, use 1h PM2.5. If Normal PM2.5, continue with normal activities. If Elevated PM2.5, avoid strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour.
Persons with chronic lung/heart disease :PSI Forecast-Unhealthy. To plan for 24 Oct, avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. For immediate outdoor activities, use 1h PM2.5. If Normal PM2.5, continue with normal activities. If Elevated PM2.5, avoid strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour. 

Refer to the 1-hr PM2.5 for immediate activities, and the 24-hr PSI forecast to plan ahead.

Singapore, 23 October 2026 – The PSI forecast for 24 Oct 2026 is 90 – 140 (Moderate to Unhealthy). 

2.           The PSI forecast and corresponding health advisories should be used for planning next day outdoor activities. 

3.           For immediate outdoor activities, please check the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings and personal guide on our haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg) or mobile app (myENV).

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

4.          Dry conditions continued over Singapore today. As at 6pm, the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings were 70 – 98 µg/m3, in (Band 2, Elevated), and the 24-hr PSI was 85 – 108, in the Moderate to Unhealthy range. Smoke haze from Sumatra was observed drifting towards Singapore. Smoke haze was also observed over Kalimantan.

5.          For tomorrow, showers are forecast over Singapore and the surrounding region, although some smoke haze may be transported towards Singapore from Sumatra under prevailing south-southeasterly or south-southwesterly winds.

6.          From Sunday onwards, the winds are expected to blow from the southwest or west, which may reduce the smoke haze transported to Singapore. Showers over Singapore and the vicinity could also help with the haze situation.

Activity Guidelines

7.         The health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity. 

8.        For updates, visit our haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg), the NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), mobile app (myENV) or follow us on NEA Facebook (www.facebook.com/NEASingapore). For information on the distribution of hotspots detected over the past fortnight in the region, please refer to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) website at http://asmc.asean.org.

Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery. The full extent of the hotspot and smoke haze situation could not be determined due to cloud cover.

– End –

“Smart Parent Net” Recommendation: (Video) SoFit:彈性及創意思維 – 腦筋急轉彎(Chinese version only); e-Generation: Joyful & Healthy Digital Journey (1): Smart AI for Learning, Building a Healthy Digital Culture

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 3

The Education Bureau, the Hong Kong Education City and the Committee on Home-School Co-operation, will co-organise the parent seminar “e-Generation: Joyful & Healthy Digital Journey (1): Smart AI for Learning, Building a Healthy Digital Culture”. The Principal of TWGHs Kwok Yat Wai College will share practical advice drawn from his extensive experience in education, exploring with parents how to cultivate children’s digital literacy to establish a healthy mindset of “smart utilization without over-reliance”, as well as guiding their children to transform AI as a learning companion for self-directed exploration. Registered social workers from the Hong Kong Playground Association will explain how to detect early warning signs of emotional and behavioral changes in children when facing online challenges, accompany them on their journey. They will also share practical tips with parents, guiding them on how to build open and honest communication with their children, and how to guide them to fact-check information, accompanying children in surfing the Internet safely and happily. Parents are cordially invited to join the seminar. For details, please refer to the website (https://info.edcity.hk/en/event/12281).

For enquiries, please email carman.ng@hkecl.net or call 2624 1078 to reach Ms. NG.

   

Legendary Brazilian guitar duo Assad Brothers to bring farewell tour to Hong Kong on October 30

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Legendary Brazilian guitar duo Assad Brothers to bring farewell tour to Hong Kong on October 30  
     The Assad brothers, Sérgio and Odair, have been acclaimed for their virtuosity and telepathic unity. Their music fuses Brazilian folk, Latin, jazz, and classical elements, earning them multiple Latin Grammy Awards over the years. The concert will bring together much-loved works from the duo’s repertoire, including mesmerising tango music by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla, Brazilian-flavoured works by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos, and original compositions by Sérgio Assad, alongside Brazilian musical treasures rarely heard in Hong Kong. To mark the China-Brazil Year of Culture, Wan will also share the stage for a piece inspired by the folkloric legend of Mulan, in which the oriental resonance of guzheng intertwines with the Latin flair of guitar, crafting an exquisite melody that bridges East and West.
 
     The concert “Guitar Duo Recital by Assad Brothers” will be held at 8pm on October 30 at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall. Tickets priced at $200, $300 and $420 are available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk 
     Fringe activities including a pre-concert talk and guitar masterclasses are also available. For details, please refer to
www.asiaplus.gov.hk/2026/en/assad-brothers 
     Presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Asia+ Festival is held annually from September to November. Themed “Traditions Recast”, this year’s festival brings together over 30 countries and regions, and presents more than 100 performances and related activities, showcasing the artistic essence of Asia and countries and regions along the Belt and Road. For programme enquiries and ticketing concessions, please call 2370 1044 or visit
www.asiaplus.gov.hkIssued at HKT 12:15

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New elements injected to enhance vibrancy of Central

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

New elements injected to enhance vibrancy of Central       
     A spokesperson for the DEVB said, “The smooth completion of the first phase of the Lan Kwai Fong beautification project was a result of public-private collaboration, in particular the strong support from the Lan Kwai Fong Association and the active participation of various government departments. These include the Architectural Services Department, the Civil Engineering and Development Department, the Drainage Services Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Highways Department, and the Planning Department. By utilising their own resources and going the extra mile, the departments have demonstrated an exemplary team spirit to serve the goal of benefiting the public, tourists, and business.”
      
     Blending innovative projection technology with lighting effects, the light art show will run from 7pm to 2am the next day on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Transforming the stone wall on D’Aguilar Street and the nearby road surface into a stage, the three-minute show, which creates interactive spatial and visual effects, will be played on a loop once every 10 minutes. The inaugural theme will be Halloween, with subsequent themes introduced for different festivals and events, offering visitors a continuous stream of fresh experiences and surprises.
      
     In addition, the Lan Kwai Fong Association has commissioned the street art team, “All in One”, to create a large-scale mural on the retaining wall adjacent to D’Aguilar Street. The 43-metre-long mural, with a theme of the transformation of Lan Kai Fong from the past to the present, extends from D’Aguilar Street to Wing Wah Lane. It is set to become a new photo spot in the area. A QR code will later be added to the mural. Visitors may use their mobile phones or smart devices to learn more about Lan Kwai Fong, a renowned round-the-clock entertainment hub.
      
     The Lan Kwai Fong Association will also host Halloween activities in Lan Kwai Fong on October 24 and 31. Members of the public and tourists can dress up in creative festive costumes and enjoy special art installations, such as the light art show and mural, immersing themselves in the vibrant festive experience of Lan Kwai Fong.
      
     The spokesperson said, “This is only the initial step of the upgrading of Lan Kwai Fong to ‘version 2.0’. The beautification works of the Lan Kwai Fong Public Refuse Collection Point, located next to the Lan Kwai Fong Sitting-out Area along Lan Kwai Fong trail, is also close to completion to better integrate with the surrounding urban design. We will also be gradually completing repaving works of the remaining roads in the core area of Lan Kwai Fong by mid-2027. Furthermore, the DEVB will commission a ‘community-making’ consultancy study in the first quarter of 2027 to prepare for the second phase of the beautification works. We look forward to the reinvention of Lan Kwai Fong upon the conclusion of the two phases, drawing in even more visitors.”
      
     Lan Kwai Fong has been an iconic dining and nightlife landmark in Hong Kong. The Government launched a beautification project in the area in phases with a view to enhancing the environment and attracting visitors. The first phase of the project involves resurfacing the pavement and roads in the core area of Lan Kwai Fong with distinctive patterns, creating a unique atmosphere and offering a different visual experience to the otherwise ordinary streetscape. The second phase covers nearby streets outside the core area of Lan Kwai Fong, including Wellington Street, Lyndhurst Terrace, and Pottinger Street. According to the preliminary plan, the second phase of the project will incorporate more design elements, including enhancing the facilities on Wo On Lane and the Lok Hing Lane Sitting-out Area, which can serve as an open-air theater; improving signages within the area and enhancing synergy with Pottinger Street in attracting visitors.
      
     Meanwhile, a large-scale installation has been launched at the junction of Connaught Road Central and Pedder Street in Central with the DEVB offering policy support and facilitating departmental approvals. The owners of the relevant commercial buildings have also funded the widening of a section of the pavement on Pedder Street to increase pedestrian accessibility. Both of these initiatives demonstrate the Government’s dedication in the renewal of Central to breathe new life into Hong Kong’s first-generation central business district while preserving its heritage as outlined in the 2026 Policy Address.
Issued at HKT 17:15

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Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026 spotlights three core growth engines: Finance+, AI+, and global expansion

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (October 23) hosted a press conference and unveiled details of Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026 (HKFW x SMUHK), which will take place from November 2 to 6. The event is expected to welcome more than 45 000 participants from over 120 economies, alongside more than 1 000 speakers, 800 exhibitors and start-ups, as well as over 30 Chinese Mainland and international delegations.

     Marking the launch of both the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan), HKFW x SMUHK 2026 will highlight financial empowerment, tech innovation, and global expansion as key engines of sustainable business growth. HKFW x SMUHK is organised by the FSTB, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and InvestHK, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), and the Insurance Authority (IA).
 
A global innovation platform powered by Finance+
 
     As the Asia-Pacific region’s leading financial centre and the world’s top-ranked fintech hub in the latest Global Financial Centres Index, Hong Kong provides a strong foundation for advancing the “Finance+” vision. Backed by deep capital markets and global connectivity, the city is powered by a dual financial and technological engine: a robust financial ecosystem provides the capital needed to scale innovation, while technological advancement continues to transform financial services and unlock new sources of growth. 
AI+ and a thriving start-up ecosystem empowering innovation
 
     As Hong Kong advances its “AI+” agenda for cross‑industry AI deep integration, it stands as a global launch pad for innovators to commercialise and scale technology. Supported by a thriving ecosystem of over 5 200 startups and ongoing development of the Northern Metropolis, Hong Kong opens new global growth pathways, while the world‑topping Shenzhen‑Hong Kong‑Guangzhou innovation cluster demonstrates how aligned research, talent, capital and industry drive innovation and business expansion. 
     As businesses increasingly look beyond their home markets for growth, Hong Kong serves as a trusted launch pad for international expansion. Retaining first place in the Asian Cities Internationality Index 2026, the city combines global connectivity, international business networks and market access, enabling companies to forge global partnerships and expand internationally. 
      As Hong Kong cements its status as Asia’s premier hub for two-way investment, this year’s event will welcome over 30 delegations from the Chinese Mainland, including those from Beijing, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Zhuhai, alongside delegations from North America, Europe, the Gulf Cooperation Council regions, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Central Asia, and other emerging markets. Their vote of confidence reinforces Hong Kong’s standing as Asia’s premier platform for companies seeking global expansion. 
     The HKFW x SMUHK 2026 main conference will specifically take place on November 2 and 3 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. It will feature 10 dedicated forums, including the Policy and Visionary Forum, AI & DeepTech Forum, Digital Assets and Web3 Forum, AI in Finance Forum, China-Global Innovation Forum, InsurTech and HealthTech Forum, GreenTech Forum, Founder and Startup Venture Forum, Tech Builder Forum, and Creator Forum. Esteemed speakers at the main conference include:
 
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and regulators:

Chinalco sets up corporate treasury centre in Hong Kong as group’s offshore fund management platform

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Chinalco sets up corporate treasury centre in Hong Kong as group’s offshore fund management platform (with photo) 
     The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, said, “We warmly welcome Chinalco Teasury setting up in Hong Kong. As the world’s largest offshore Renminbi hub, Hong Kong can provide enterprises with cross-border Renminbi settlement, multi-currency fund management and risk hedging capabilities, while actively promoting the wider use of Renminbi in financing and commodity pricing. Coupled with the city’s simple tax regime and free flow of capital, InvestHK hopes that Chinalco will use its treasury centre as a starting point to further establish commodity trading functions in Hong Kong, combining the city’s pricing, clearing, financing, and warehousing networks with its own industrial strengths to create mutual synergies.”
 
     Ms Lau added, “This year, the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government unveiled the Action Plan to Promote Development of Corporate Treasury Centres in Hong Kong. Its measures include revamping the tax regime and expanding Hong Kong’s network of Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreements, which will make the city more competitive as a hub for corporate treasury centres. InvestHK will continue to provide comprehensive support to enterprises at every stage of going global and empower more Mainland enterprises to expand worldwide through Hong Kong.”
 
     The Chief Financial Officer of Chinalco, Ms Wang Xin, said, “As the group’s overseas industrial presence continues to grow, we need an efficient platform to co-ordinate our offshore funds management. Hong Kong’s foreign exchange market is the fourth largest in the world, and the city has well-developed channels for Renminbi financing and trade settlement. Together with the unique advantage of its connection to the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong will help the group manage its global funds in an integrated way and make its fund operations more efficient and effective.”
 
     Ms Wang added, “In the future, Chinalco Treasury will build a fully functional offshore fund management platform for the group. All funds will be pooled, all settlement will be centralised and all risks will be controlled.”
 
     InvestHK has been supporting Chinalco Treasury by providing market intelligence, introducing the tax and regulatory arrangements for corporate treasury centres, and connecting it with local industry stakeholders and professional service providers.
 
     Founded in 2001, Chinalco is a key state-owned enterprise under the direct administration of the Central Government. Its industrial chain covers more than 20 non-ferrous metals, including aluminium, copper, lead and zinc, and it operates in over 20 countries and regions around the world. The group has been on the Fortune Global 500 list every year since 2008 and owns six listed companies. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, it has built a number of world-class mineral resources projects in places such as Guinea and Peru. Chinalco Treasury is wholly owned by Chinalco.
 
     For more information about Chinalco, please visit www.chinalco.com.cnIssued at HKT 7:00

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RTHK signs Memorandum of Understanding with Chengdu Radio and Television

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

RTHK signs Memorandum of Understanding with Chengdu Radio and Television  
     Ms Kwan and the President of Chengdu Radio and Television and Chairman of Chengdu Broadcasting (Group) Corporation, Mr Yang Xiaoyang, signed the MOU yesterday (October 22). The two broadcasters will expand co-operation across a range of areas, including programme content exchanges, talent development and related exchanges, collaboration on new media platforms and the organisation of events. A key initiative will be the introduction of RTHK’s acclaimed signature project, the “RTHK Vinyl Pop Up”, to Chengdu in the second quarter of next year. The event has previously been staged in Hong Kong, Qianhai in Shenzhen, and Shanghai. During the visit, the RTHK delegation also met with senior management of the Chengdu Media Group to exchange views and explore further opportunities for collaboration.
 
     Ms Kwan said that RTHK has long been committed to strengthening ties with media organisations across the Chinese Mainland through broadcasting and cultural exchanges, thereby fostering people-to-people bonds between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. RTHK expressed hopes that bringing the “RTHK Vinyl Pop Up” to Chengdu would allow music to serve as a bridge for introducing Hong Kong’s pop culture to a wider Mainland audience, while helping to share the stories of both Hong Kong and Chengdu with the world.
Issued at HKT 14:30

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Lifesaving services at beaches from November 2026 to March 2027

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Lifesaving services at beaches from November 2026 to March 2027 
November 1 to 30, 2026
(Lifesaving services available from 8am to 5pm daily)
—————————————————
Deep Water Bay Beach, Stanley Main Beach, Repulse Bay Beach, Middle Bay Beach, Big Wave Bay Beach, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Silverstrand Beach, Silver Mine Bay Beach, Golden Beach, Lido Beach and Casam Beach
 
December 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027
(Lifesaving services available from 8am to 5pm daily)
—————————————————
Deep Water Bay Beach, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Silverstrand Beach, Golden Beach, Lido Beach and Casam Beach
 
March 1 to 31, 2027
(Lifesaving services available from 8am to 5pm daily)
—————————————————
Deep Water Bay Beach, Stanley Main Beach, Repulse Bay Beach, South Bay Beach, Big Wave Bay Beach, Silverstrand Beach, Hap Mun Bay Beach, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach, Silver Mine Bay Beach, Golden Beach, Kadoorie Beach, Lido Beach, Casam Beach, Anglers’ Beach and Tai Po Lung Mei Beach
 
     Lifesaving services at the remaining 22 LCSD beaches (see Annex) will be suspended from November 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
 
     Swimmers should pay attention to safety and avoid swimming alone when enjoying the fun of swimming, and should only go to beaches where lifesaving services are provided. Please do not enter the water when the red flag is hoisted.
 
     Members of the public should stay away from the shoreline during inclement weather, and should not conduct any water sports activities on beaches to avoid causing danger to themselves and rescue personnel. Any failure to comply with the temporary closure arrangement of beaches is an offence and the offender would be liable to prosecution.
Issued at HKT 11:30

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Adjustment in ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations in November 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Adjustment in ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations in November 2026 

Location of
Dedicated
LPG Filling StationCeiling Price in
November 2026
(HK$/litre)Ceiling Price in
October 2026
(HK$/litre)     The spokesman said that the details of the LPG international price and the auto-LPG ceiling price for each dedicated LPG filling station had been uploaded to the EMSD website (www.emsd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 11:35

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