In a bid to address the persistent problem of forest fires and transboundary haze in Southeast Asia, Singapore and Indonesia have agreed to form a joint task force. This initiative, announced after a meeting between Indonesian Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir and Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in Jakarta on October 27, aims to enhance accountability and prevent the recurrence of environmental issues that have plagued the region.
The task force will focus on several key areas, including information sharing, financial intelligence, cross-border evidence gathering, and potential asset recovery from companies implicated in the fires. The collaboration underscores the commitment of both nations to improve coordination and bolster enforcement actions against businesses suspected of using illegal burning methods to clear land.
Singapore has offered to contribute by sharing information about companies tied to the fires, a move welcomed by Indonesia. Balakrishnan emphasized Singapore’s readiness to employ its legal and regulatory powers, as well as economic measures if necessary, to deter entities from contributing to transboundary haze. Singapore’s National Environment Agency has already issued notices to companies in Indonesia suspected of causing haze pollution and has sought information from Singapore-based companies under its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.
The impact of forest and land fires in Indonesia has been severe, affecting air quality across the region. In response, Indonesian authorities have deployed approximately 71,000 ground personnel and 51 aerial units to priority provinces, alongside water-bombing and weather-modification efforts to control the fires. Investigations and prosecutions have been carried out against hundreds of individuals and over 50 companies for fire-related offenses.
Both ministers acknowledged the significant suffering of Indonesian communities, especially in Sumatra and Kalimantan, due to the fires and haze. They emphasized the necessity of preventing deliberate burning and holding responsible businesses accountable. Beyond environmental cooperation, the ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through open dialogue and closer coordination.
In a broader context, Singapore and Indonesia are preparing to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2027. The two governments also pledged to continue collaborating on regional cooperation, including efforts to strengthen the unity and resilience of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The establishment of a hotline at the ministerial and senior-official levels is part of their strategy to address disagreements and maintain effective communication.