Malaysia Refutes NGO Claim Linking Its Palm Oil Firms to Indonesian Fires
Malaysia's Plantation and Commodities Minister said monitoring shows no Malaysian plantation started the recent Indonesian forest fires, which spread from nearby areas.
During a ceremony at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Plantation and Commodities Minister Noraini Ahmad rejected allegations from Indonesian NGO WALHI that Malaysian palm oil firms contributed to forest fires in Indonesia. She referenced monitoring by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, which found that the fires began beyond Malaysian plantation boundaries and spread due to severe heat before being suppressed. Ahmad highlighted that the firms operate under RSPO and MSPO certification schemes.
The statement came as WALHI released a spatial analysis naming 21 companies linked to Malaysian business groups as responsible for fires between January and September, based on satellite-detected hotspots. The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, and UTM Vice-Chancellor Massila Kamalrudin.
Why it matters
The dispute affects regional environmental accountability and the reputation of Malaysia's palm oil industry.
How this story developed
- Sep 28 Civil groups sue Indonesian government over West Kalimantan fire negligence
- Oct 8 Prime Minister Anwar said the worsening haze is a serious health risk and has asked President Prabowo to take action, while Malaysia ramps up cloud seeding.
- Oct 10 The class‑action suit moved to a hearing in Pontianak, where no defendants were present.
- Oct 15 The government, led by Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu, is gathering evidence and keeping legal options open as PSI levels in western Singapore entered the very unhealthy range. The 2014 law allows fines up to S$100,000 per day, capped at S$2 million, for companies whose fires produce prolonged haze. Enforcement has been challenging, with limited data from Indonesian authorities and four firms still under investigation. Fu also urged Indonesia to curb the fires and called for ASEAN cooperation.
- 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 16 Legal notices were served on seven Indonesian firms for their role in the haze.
- Oct 19 Student Alliance of Gadjah Mada University addressed ASEAN Secretary‑General urging scrutiny of Indonesia’s compliance and acceptance of regional firefighting support.
- 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.
- Oct 27 Walhi released an Actor Mapping Analysis that names 21 Malaysian‑linked firms.
- Oct 27 A joint task force was created and ten firms have now acknowledged Singapore's haze notices.
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