World · Malaysia Bureau
Singapore, Indonesia to establish joint haze task force
Senior diplomats from Singapore and Indonesia have agreed to set up a coordinated task force to combat transboundary haze pollution. The move aims to improve information sharing and cross-border investigations into forest fires affecting the region.
LSN Malaysia ·
High-level officials from Singapore and Indonesia concluded a two-hour diplomatic meeting to discuss establishing a joint task force focused on addressing the recurring haze problem that affects Southeast Asia. The proposed mechanism would facilitate real-time information exchange between the two nations and enable coordinated efforts to investigate forest fires that cross national boundaries.
According to discussions, the task force would strengthen cooperation in gathering evidence related to forest fires and work toward recovering assets linked to illegal burning activities. This coordinated approach is intended to address the root causes of transboundary haze, which has periodically blanketed parts of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei with hazardous air pollution.
The announcement comes amid ongoing regional tensions over haze management, with recurring disputes over responsibility for forest fires that originate in Indonesia. Both nations have emphasized the importance of preventive measures and stricter enforcement against those responsible for uncontrolled burning practices.
The task force represents a significant step toward bilateral cooperation on environmental issues, with officials indicating that detailed frameworks for the mechanism would be developed in subsequent meetings. The initiative underscores renewed commitment from both governments to tackle a problem that has consistently threatened public health across Southeast Asia.