TSH Resources says Indonesian operations not linked to haze

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 23, 2026

Malaysian plantation company TSH Resources reported that recent fires detected within its Indonesian estates occurred exclusively in community areas outside its managed plantations and emphasized its strict zero-burning policy and extensive fire prevention measures. The company’s clarification addresses regulatory concerns amid the regional haze crisis and highlights its commitment to sustainable operations while cooperating with authorities on related incidents.

Malaysian plantation company TSH Resources has stated that recent fires detected within its Indonesian estates are not linked to the transboundary haze affecting the region. Between January 1 and October 21, 274 hotspots were identified within the company’s estate boundaries in Indonesia, but the group asserted that none of these fires occurred within its planted or operational areas.

TSH Resources, which is primarily listed on Bursa Malaysia and secondarily on the Singapore Exchange (SGX), said all fires were found in community enclaves outside areas directly managed by the company. The firm’s field teams reportedly responded to and extinguished the fires, and police reports have been filed for these incidents. The statement was made in response to inquiries from SGX Regulation concerning forest and peatland fires in Indonesia.

According to the company’s 2025 annual report, TSH Resources manages approximately 36,000 hectares of planted areas across Kalimantan and Sumatra. The group disclosed a fire incident on August 17 involving its subsidiary Bulungan Citra Agro Persada (BCAP). The fire originated from a community enclave outside BCAP’s operational zone and was extinguished on the same day. BCAP subsequently reported the incident to local police and continues to cooperate with authorities.

Additionally, on September 1, TSH received an inquiry from the sustainability department of Apical Group, one of its vegetable oil processor customers, regarding hotspots linked to another subsidiary, Farinda Bersaudara. TSH explained the hotspots were outside the company’s operational area, a clarification that satisfied Apical.

TSH reported no other formal investigations or notices from environmental authorities related to the recent haze and reaffirmed that its ongoing operations in Indonesia had not contributed to the problem. The company highlighted its zero-burning policy, implemented since May 2009, which bans the use of fire for land preparation, planting, or replanting, extending to contractors and suppliers. It also noted that it has ceased new planting on peatlands since the end of 2015.

To mitigate fire risks, TSH employs satellite-based monitoring systems to detect hotspots, land clearing, and potential encroachments. Its fire prevention infrastructure includes 123 fire observation towers, 11 drones, and 28 firefighting squads comprising 425 personnel. The company allocates an average of RM2 million (approximately S$625,200) annually to fire prevention, monitoring, and response.

TSH is among eight agribusiness firms listed on SGX that have responded to regulatory inquiries about their operations amid Indonesia’s haze crisis. Other companies questioned include Golden Agri-Resources, Bumitama Agri, First Resources, Wilmar International, Kencana Agri, Indofood Agri Resources, and Olam Group.

In a separate disclosure on October 22, TSH Resources revealed it had repurchased 250,000 of its shares, spending roughly RM286,577, bringing its total treasury shares to about 655.6 million — approximately 5.1% of its issued shares. Earlier in September, the company also disclosed that a 90%-owned indirect Indonesian subsidiary was fined about RM42 million for cultivating land outside the legally approved plantation area.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.