Singapore Stresses Need for Greater Accountability on Haze to Indonesia

Singapore, 24 Jumadil Awwal 1437/03 March 2016 (MINA) – Singapore has stressed to Indonesia the need for greater transparency and accountability to overcome the recurring problem of transboundary haze that has been plaguing the region for decades, the  Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) said on Wednesday (Mar 2).

The ministry announced this, after Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli met with his Indonesian counterpart Siti Nurbaya Bakar during an introductory visit to Indonesia, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported, quoting CNA.

In a media release, MEWR said both ministers noted the importance for Singapore and Indonesia to maintain close cooperation in overcoming transboundary environmental challenges.

“The ministers agreed that transboundary haze is a serious problem, which has affected millions in South-east Asia. The Ministers also recognised the need for closer bilateral and regional cooperation and agreed to resume the Indonesia-Singapore Environment Partnership (ISEP),” said MEWR.

During the meeting, Mr Masagos noted the Indonesian government’s appeal against the Palembang district court’s dismissal of the case against PT Bumi Mekar Hijau, a company which had received a notice under Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act for possibly causing haze pollution in the island-state last year.

“To that end, Minister Masagos informed Minister Siti Nurbaya that Singapore looked forward to greater cooperation with Indonesia in bringing to justice errant companies which were responsible for the transboundary haze,” MEWR said.

During the meeting, Mr Masagos also reiterated Singapore’s repeated requests for information on errant companies from Indonesia. In response, Dr Siti said she would discuss the matter with her Cabinet colleagues.

Dr Siti also said she would get back to Singapore on its request to accelerate the discussion on the Memorandum of Understanding with Indonesia’s Jambi province to tackle transboundary haze, stated MEWR.

On Wednesday, Mr Masagos also met with the Indonesian Peat Restoration Agency (BRG)’s head Nazir Foead, and discussed the BRG’s direction in peatland conservation and restoration, including the roles that governments and companies could play. Potential areas of collaboration between Singapore and Indonesia that would contribute to the region’s efforts to overcome transboundary haze was also discussed at the meeting, MEWR said. (R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)