Indonesia vows to name foreign firms behind haze as ASEAN summit looms
President Prabowo Subianto said foreign companies are responsible for the forest and peatland fires that have produced hazardous haze across Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, and pledged to reveal their identities. He ordered police, the military and intelligence services to investigate and warned that any foreign firm found in violation could lose its permits. Malaysia announced it will formally request Indonesia to intensify fire‑fighting and hold perpetrators accountable at the upcoming ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting, while Singapore has issued preventive notices to ten companies under its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act. A survey of Indonesian businesses found that 13% reported direct disruption from the fires, and NGOs have used satellite data to map hotspots, prompting regional diplomatic pressure ahead of the summit.
How this was covered
- Left-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
Why it matters
The haze threatens public health and economic activity across Southeast Asia and is testing regional cooperation and corporate accountability.
How this story developed
- Oct 8 Malaysian leaders urge Indonesia to act as haze threatens public health
- Oct 16 President Prabowo appointed army general Kristomei Sianturi to lead BNPB.
- Oct 16 Indonesia formally accepted regional assistance and technical talks on its implementation are underway.
- Oct 19 Malaysia specified that it will provide three helicopters and 52 firefighters to support Indonesia’s fire‑fighting efforts.
- Oct 20 Indonesia’s BNPB and army chief launched a joint firefighting push in Central Kalimantan.
- Oct 22 President Prabowo publicly blamed corporations and pledged to identify them.
- Oct 23 Malaysia said it will raise the haze issue with Indonesia at the upcoming ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting.
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