SINGAPORE, Oct 30 — Singapore has selected seven investigation and legal specialists to assess companies identified by its government as potentially linked to transboundary haze, as authorities move to strengthen enforcement against firms suspected of contributing to fires.

Singapore’s CNA reported today that the panel comprises investigation firms Control Risks Group, FTI Consulting (Singapore) and Kroll Singapore, alongside Dentons Rodyk & Davidson, Toby Landau KC of Duxton Hill Chambers, TSMP Law Corporation and WongPartnership.

Singapore’s Ministry of Law (MinLaw) and National Environment Agency (NEA) separately confirmed the appointments in a joint statement, saying the panel members have expertise spanning forensic investigations, financial analysis, corporate intelligence, risk advisory and legal services.

Companies identified by the government will reportedly be required to engage an NEA-selected team comprising an investigation firm and a law firm or legal adviser from the panel, with the assessment carried out at the companies’ own expense.

The assessors will examine their operations, corporate relationships and supply chains, before submitting findings to NEA for consideration in deciding whether further action is warranted.

Davinder Singh Chambers has meanwhile been appointed as the government’s adviser and will coordinate the panel’s work to ensure its reports provide the information and evidence required by NEA.

The Singapore government also plans to table amendments to the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act 2014 at the next parliamentary sitting to give legal force to the assessment framework.

CNA said the move follows a meeting on Wednesday between senior executives representing 10 companies under scrutiny and Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, Senior Minister K Shanmugam and Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu.

The companies pledged to cooperate with Singapore’s investigations, which could include giving assessors access to relevant documents, personnel and premises.

Wilmar International has become the first of the 10 to publicly say it will voluntarily engage, at its own cost, an investigation firm and law firm from the government panel, according to CNA.