By Salma El-Sakka
Toxic haze from wildfires in Indonesia's Kalimantan, Papua and Sumatra regions has drifted across borders into Singapore and Malaysia for weeks, causing respiratory illnesses and mounting public anger. The recurring crisis, worsened this year by a strong El Niño drought, has triggered a diplomatic dilemma for governments balancing domestic pressure against the risk of souring relations with Jakarta.
Health Impacts and Public Anger
The haze, typically a days-long event, has persisted for weeks, prompting Malaysia to initiate a boycott of Indonesian products after lawmaker Syed Saddiq called for sanctions on companies linked to the fires. In Singapore, critics say the government was slow to act despite early warnings about El Niño, with residents expecting decisive action against polluters. Authorities have set up hundreds of haze shelters, distributed masks to vulnerable groups, and launched investigations into 10 Singapore-registered companies for potential ties to the wildfires.
Diplomatic Efforts and Retaliation
Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta last week for talks described as "honest" and "sincere," leading to a joint task force on haze. However, tensions flared when an Indonesian official claimed the fires were beyond human control and that oxygen in neighbouring countries "also comes from our forests." Singapore's Senior Minister K Shanmugam called the remark "disappointing" and "not right," a rare public rebuke. Days later, Indonesia announced a reduction in gas exports to Singapore, citing domestic energy needs — a move widely seen as retaliation. Prabowo later referenced "countries that like to insult Indonesia," reinforcing what analysts call a historical "big brother-little brother" dynamic.
Malaysia's Cautious Approach
Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan has ruled out a formal diplomatic protest or legal action, saying such steps would risk severing relations. Instead, Kuala Lumpur agreed to explore a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia on wildfire prevention and will rely on the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. Critics, however, view the 2003 pact as toothless, noting it cannot punish companies or compel government action. ASEAN's 2020 goal to eliminate haze was quietly pushed to 2030.
Long-Term Challenges and ASEAN Agreement
Complicating Malaysia's position is its own status as a major palm oil producer, an industry often linked to slash-and-burn practices. In 2019, Indonesia and Malaysia traded blame over haze origins. Experts say the haze will recur as long as oil palm expansion remains a priority, and Malaysia lacks the economic leverage over Indonesia that Singapore holds as its largest foreign investor. For now, Malaysia appears content to wait for seasonal winds to clear the air.
