Wildfires in Indonesia's Kalimantan, Papua, and Sumatra regions are generating toxic haze that is drifting into neighboring Singapore and Malaysia, causing respiratory illnesses and creating diplomatic friction. The smog has persisted for weeks, amplified by drought conditions exacerbated by El Niño, leading to frustration among citizens in the affected countries.
In Malaysia, public anger has led to boycotts of Indonesian products and calls for sanctions against companies linked to the fires. Lawmaker Syed Saddiq urged Malaysians to treat such companies as regional outcasts. Singapore has also seen public discontent, with expectations that the government should have more decisively addressed the problem given prior warnings about severe El Niño conditions.
Indonesian officials have pushed back against criticism. One senior official controversially suggested that the wildfires were beyond human control and asserted that neighboring countries also benefit from Indonesia's forests. Singapore's senior minister K. Shanmugam called the remark "disappointing" and "not right," emphasizing that addressing the haze should not be a bilateral issue and that Indonesia also suffers from the fires and has an interest in dealing with the responsible companies.
Following Shanmugam's comments, Indonesia announced a reduction in gas exports to Singapore, citing domestic needs. This move was widely perceived as retaliation, although Indonesia's energy minister had previously warned that gas exports could be halted to countries that "do not respect Indonesia." Indonesian President Prabowo also alluded to "countries that like to insult Indonesia" in relation to the wildfires, a dynamic some observers liken to a "big brother-little brother" syndrome where Singapore's concerns are perceived as disrespect.
Malaysia's official response has been more subdued. Its foreign minister ruled out formal diplomatic protests or legal action to avoid severing relations. Instead, Malaysia has agreed to explore a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia to enhance wildfire prevention efforts, relying on diplomatic channels like the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution.
However, the effectiveness of this 2003 agreement is questioned, as it lacks enforcement mechanisms to punish companies or compel governments to act. A previous goal to eliminate haze in the region by 2020 was missed, with a new target set for 2030. The recurring nature of the haze is closely tied to commercial land clearing for crops like oil palm, a commodity Malaysia also heavily produces. This creates a complex situation where Malaysia, while affected by the haze, is also a significant palm oil producer.
Past incidents have seen Indonesia and Malaysia blame each other for the source of the smog. Experts suggest that as long as oil palm cultivation remains a priority, the haze will likely recur. Malaysia, having less economic leverage over Indonesia compared to Singapore, appears hesitant to provoke its neighbor, opting for a strategy of managing the issue until the prevailing winds shift the smog elsewhere.