Singapore welcomes Prabowo's commitment to tackling regional haze crisis

Singapore's top diplomat expressed appreciation for the renewed commitment from Indonesia's new administration to tackle the haze crisis that periodically affects air quality across the region. Foreign Minister Shanmugam highlighted President Prabowo's proactive stance on the matter, noting the importance of coordinated efforts between the two neighbouring nations.

The Indonesian president has indicated that fire prevention will form a cornerstone of his administration's strategy to combat the annual transboundary haze phenomenon. This approach signals a shift towards addressing root causes rather than merely managing the consequences of forest and land fires that regularly blanket parts of Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries in smoke.

The acknowledgement of Indonesia's efforts reflects Singapore's recognition of the complex challenges involved in managing large-scale environmental issues across borders. Both nations have long been engaged in dialogue and cooperation frameworks aimed at reducing haze incidents, which have significant economic and health implications for affected populations in the region.

Minister Shanmugam's comments underscore the continued diplomatic engagement between Singapore and Indonesia on environmental matters, with both governments emphasising the need for sustained, coordinated action to prevent recurrence of severe haze episodes.