jakarta8 minutes ago
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The smoke from forest fires in Indonesia has become a problem for neighboring countries Malaysia and Singapore. The poisonous smoke rising from the forests of Kalimantan, Papua and Sumatra is reaching these countries with the wind.
Due to this, people are facing problems like difficulty in breathing and headache. Schools have had to be closed in some areas of Malaysia. The smoke has been persisting for several weeks, causing increasing resentment among the people.
People in Malaysia have begun boycotting Indonesian products, while Singapore has launched an investigation into companies linked to the fires.
Meanwhile, Indonesia has announced to reduce gas exports to Singapore. He has cited the energy needs of his country as the reason for this.
People protest against the government’s handling of smoke and forest fires in Kalimantan.
Forests are set on fire for farming
Forest fires occur every year in Indonesia. The main reason for this is clearing of forests for farming and business. Land is prepared in large areas especially for the cultivation of palm oil.
For this, forests are set on fire at many places. If the fire spreads to the peatland below the ground, it becomes more difficult to extinguish it. The dry organic matter present in peatlands keeps fires burning for a long time.
This year, due to El Nino, the drought situation in Indonesia’s forests and peatlands was more severe. Due to this the fire spread rapidly and it became difficult to control it.
Usually, the effect of such smoke lasts for a few days in Malaysia and Singapore, but this time it has lasted for several weeks.
A person sprays water to extinguish a forest fire in Batu area of Kalimantan province, Indonesia.
Boycott in Malaysia, criticism of government in Singapore
People of Malaysia troubled by the smoke have started boycotting Indonesian products. Malaysian MP Syed Sadiq has demanded a ban on companies related to the fire. He also appealed to the people to isolate such companies in the area.
The Singapore government has set up hundreds of relief centers to protect people from the smoke. Masks are being distributed to children, elderly and people suffering from health related problems. The government is also considering tightening the existing laws related to smoke.
However, people in Singapore have raised questions on the preparedness of their government. He says that the government already knew that this year the drought situation would be severe due to El Nino. Despite this, adequate preparations were not made to deal with the smoke.
Controversy increased due to statement of Indonesian official
Meanwhile, a senior Indonesian official said that humans have no control over forest fires. He also said that the oxygen supplied to neighboring countries Singapore and Malaysia also comes from the forests of Indonesia.
Singapore expressed displeasure over this statement. Senior minister there K. Shanmugam called it disappointing and wrong. He said that poisonous smoke is causing serious harm to people’s health and this cannot be accepted.
Shanmugam said that this problem is affecting the citizens of both the countries, hence it should not be made an issue of mutual dispute. He also said that the people of Indonesia are also troubled by pollution. In such a situation, it is also in Indonesia’s interest to take action against the companies that set the fire.
Indonesia first threatened and then stopped the gas supply.
A few days after the dispute, Indonesia announced to reduce gas exports to Singapore. The government cited the increasing need of energy in the country as the reason for this. Electricity shortage has also been reported in some parts of Indonesia. However, this decision is being linked to the increased tension between the two countries after Singapore’s criticism.
Earlier, Indonesia’s Energy Minister had warned that gas supply to countries that do not respect Indonesia could be stopped. President Prabowo also mentioned the countries that insult Indonesia on the issue of forest fires.
Singapore says that this cut in gas supply is less than 2% of its total daily requirement. Therefore, this will not have much impact on its energy supply.
Why does Malaysia not want conflict with Indonesia?
- Compared to Singapore, Malaysia has adopted a softer stance in this matter. Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Hassan has ruled out filing a formal diplomatic protest or taking legal action against Indonesia. He says that doing so would mean moving towards breaking the relations between the two countries.
- Instead, Malaysia is considering an agreement with Indonesia to prevent forest fires. It also wants to take advantage of ASEAN’s 2003 agreement, under which countries in Southeast Asia have to work together to combat smoke spreading across the border.
- However, questions have been raised on the effectiveness of this agreement. There is no provision to impose fine on companies that set fires or to force the government of any country to take action against them.
- One reason for Malaysia’s soft stance is its own business. It itself is a major producer of palm oil. The process of clearing forests for this business is also linked to incidents of fire. In such a situation, putting more pressure on Indonesia may also raise questions on its own methods.
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