World · East Asia & Pacific · 5 hrs ago
Singapore and Indonesia pledge action on gas, haze and other disputes
Singapore and Indonesia’s leaders have committed to address bilateral disputes, including haze and energy issues, Singapore’s foreign minister said after visiting Jakarta.
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President Prabowo Subianto had communicated, but gave no details of their discussions.
The two countries have also agreed to create a task force to share information and evidence on companies suspected of wrongdoing, and a hotline for handling disputes.
Indonesia has reduced gas exports to Singapore to prioritise domestic electricity needs, while saying the cuts stay within existing contracts.
Singapore says contracts should be honoured, but its energy authority says gas supplies remain sufficient and importers can bring in more liquefied natural gas if needed.
The haze is another shared concern, as smoke from fires can cross the border and affect people in both countries.
Both governments now need to put their commitments into action, including through direct communication and cooperation on disputes.
Singapore and Indonesia have pledged to address bilateral issues, including gas supplies and haze, after high-level communication between Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President Prabowo Subianto.
Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said the two governments must now carry out their plans and commitments.
Indonesia began reducing natural gas exports to Singapore on Oct 24 to prioritize domestic electricity needs.
Balakrishnan said both countries share a commitment to respecting contracts, while Indonesian officials said the gas cuts do not breach existing agreements.
The countries also announced a joint task force to coordinate investigations into companies linked to haze and a hotline for bilateral differences.
- Who
- Singapore and Indonesia, represented in part by their leaders Lawrence Wong and Prabowo Subianto.
- What
- The governments pledged to address bilateral issues, including gas supplies, haze and other disputes.
- When
- Balakrishnan spoke in Jakarta on Oct 28, 2026; Indonesia began reducing gas exports on Oct 24.
- Where
- Singapore and Indonesia; Balakrishnan spoke in Jakarta.
- Why
- To address disputes over gas supplies and other bilateral matters, and to coordinate action on haze.
Singapore
Indonesia
Gas contracts
Singapore
Singapore says parties to commercial gas contracts should honour their commitments.
Indonesia
Indonesia says the export reductions are within contractual limits and do not breach the agreements.
Gas supply priorities
Singapore
Singapore expects contracted supplies to be respected and says importers can obtain more LNG if needed.
Indonesia
Indonesia is reducing exports to prioritize domestic electricity needs.
Indonesia began reducing natural gas exports to Singapore to prioritize domestic electricity needs.
Indonesian minister Bahlil Lahadalia said the cuts were within contractual limits.
Balakrishnan met President Prabowo in Jakarta and said Wong and Prabowo had communicated at the highest level.
Singapore and Indonesia announced a joint task force on investigations into errant companies and a hotline for bilateral differences.
- Gas export reduction began
- Oct 24, 2026
- Reduction amount
- 31 million standard cubic feet per day
- Share of pipeline gas exports
- About 8%
- Estimated share of Singapore daily gas needs
- Less than 2%
- Task force purpose
- Coordinate investigations into errant companies by sharing information and cross-border evidence
- Current Indonesian gas import contracts
- Due to end in late 2028
3 sources
What people are saying
Communication has occurred at the highest level between my prime minister and President Prabowo
Look at actions, not just at words … Contracts mean something, and the sanctity of contract is upheld. That's important.
No border should shield those who profit from burning our forests
honour their commitments