TSH responds to SGX haze queries, cites no fires

The company said it enforced a zero-burning policy from May 2009.

TSH Resources said no fire was detected within its planted or operational areas from January to 21 October in response to the Singapore Exchange’s (SGX) queries over the transboundary haze.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia and SGX, the group reported 274 hotspots within its estate boundaries and community enclave areas, all of which were extinguished by field teams, with police reports lodged.

It claimed it had received no reports or claims of fires started by its employees during the period.

The group also maintained that its operations in Indonesia had not contributed to the haze.

TSH reported a localised fire in August within an area belonging to its subsidiary Bulungan Citra Agro Persada, which was extinguished on the same day.

Separately, Apical Group’s sustainability department had queried hotspots at another subsidiary, Farinda Bersaudara, which TSH said occurred in a community enclave outside its operational area.

The group said it had received no other formal inquiries or notices from environmental authorities regarding the haze.

TSH has enforced a zero-burning policy since May 2009 and has not developed new plantings on peat since December 2015, it noted.

Its fire prevention measures include a satellite-based monitoring platform that detects hotspots and land clearing, 28 firefighting squads comprising 425 trained personnel, and daily ground patrols in three shifts.

The group said it also operates 123 fire towers and 11 drones, monitors hotspots within a 2-km buffer beyond its concession boundaries.

It cited cooperation with local communities, government agencies, and neighbouring companies on fire prevention and response.