'Shiver in our shoes? That's not the Singapore approach': Shanmugam on pursuing Indonesian haze-linked firms

Singapore will not shy away from taking action against errant companies linked to ongoing wildfires in Indonesia that have blanketed several Southeast Asian nations in hazardous haze, Senior Minister K. Shanmugam said.Asked by the media during a visit to Woodlands Checkpoint about the potential diplomatic implications if Singapore chooses to pursue legal action, he said: "Our people are suffering. What do these experts think we are supposed to do? Shiver in our shoes before we take any action to protect our own people? That's not the Singapore approach."He stressed that Singapore does not approach issues that way."If we think like that, there will be no Singapore," adding that the Government does not foresee any bilateral issues. Shanmugam pointed out that Indonesians are suffering as well, and that it is in also in their interest to deal with the companies that are causing the fires.