World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Jonan Urges Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to Tackle Forest Fires Together
Ignasius Jonan urged Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to tackle forest fires together after neighboring countries criticized Indonesia over fires on its land.
Jonan, a member of Indonesia’s Presidential Advisory Council, said the three countries should use the ASEAN agreement on cross-border haze pollution, signed in 2002 and ratified by Indonesia in 2014.
He said each country should bring enough equipment, technology and personnel to the effort.
Jonan said the countries should also investigate whether any fires were started deliberately.
He called for fair sanctions against companies found responsible, noting that some may be listed or owned in Singapore or Malaysia.
He urged the three governments to sit down and coordinate their response, rather than rely on public criticism.
Ignasius Jonan urged Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to work together to address forest and land fires.
He said the countries could use the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution as a framework for cooperation.
Jonan called for each country to have adequate equipment, technology and personnel.
He said the countries should jointly investigate whether fires were deliberate and impose fair, effective sanctions where warranted.
Jonan said some companies implicated in fires may be listed in, or partly owned by companies from, Singapore or Malaysia.
- Who
- Ignasius Jonan, a member of Indonesia’s Presidential Advisory Council, urged Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to cooperate.
- What
- Jonan called for joint action on forest and land fires, including investigations and fair sanctions.
- When
- October 21, 2026.
- Where
- Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore; Jonan referred to the ASEAN framework.
- Why
- Jonan said the countries share the problem and should address it through cooperation rather than criticism.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ten countries signed the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The agreement took effect.
Indonesia ratified the agreement through Law No. 26 of 2014.
Jonan called in an Instagram post for Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to cooperate on forest and land fires.
- Agreement
- ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution
- Signing date
- June 10, 2002
- Signing location
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Effective year
- 2003
- Indonesian ratification
- Law No. 26 of 2014
What people are saying
If you want this addressed, let’s cooperate. In my view, every country must have adequate equipment, technology and personnel.
If there is an element of deliberate action, let’s investigate it together and cooperate.
If we want sanctions imposed fairly and effectively, let’s sit together and resolve this.