Singapore and Indonesia have agreed to form a joint task force aimed at enhancing accountability for forest fires and mitigating transboundary haze in Southeast Asia. The task force will focus on sharing information, financial intelligence, cross-border evidence gathering, and possibly recovering assets from companies implicated in the fires.
The agreement was revealed after a meeting between Indonesian Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir and Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in Jakarta on October 27. Both nations are committed to improving coordination and enforcement against businesses suspected of using deliberate burning for land clearing.
During the meeting, Nasir mentioned Singapore’s offer to share details about companies associated with the fires, which Indonesia has accepted. Balakrishnan stated that Singapore is prepared to utilize its legal and regulatory capabilities, and implement economic measures if necessary, to deter companies from contributing to transboundary haze.
Singapore’s National Environment Agency has already issued notices to companies in Indonesia suspected of contributing to haze pollution. Additionally, Singapore has requested information from Singapore-based companies under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.
Forest and land fires in Indonesia have consistently impacted air quality across the region. In response, Indonesian authorities have deployed around 71,000 ground personnel and 51 aerial units in key provinces, alongside water-bombing operations and weather-modification initiatives to manage the fires. Investigations and prosecutions have been carried out against hundreds of individuals and over 50 companies linked to fire-related offenses.
The foreign ministers acknowledged the severe impact of fires and haze on Indonesian communities, notably in Sumatra and Kalimantan. They emphasized the need to prevent deliberate burning and ensure accountability for responsible businesses.
In addition to environmental efforts, the ministers reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening bilateral relations through open dialogue and enhanced cooperation. They also agreed to establish a hotline at the ministerial and senior-official levels to address disagreements and maintain communication.
As Singapore and Indonesia prepare to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2027, both governments are committed to continuing their collaboration on regional initiatives, including enhancing the unity and resilience of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).